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Hardik Pandya has had some tough months in the past two years. Ever since his lower back injury in 2019, the India all-rounder has struggled to make a comeback. It's not that he did not try but the results did not come as expected. He failed to provide the services of an all-rounder to his team- both India and Mumbai Indians. The management tried to fit him in as a batter but that did not work as well.
With all this happening, Pandya was being counted out of the national team and experts were expressing concern over his comeback. But the Baroda all-rounder says that he is all set to make a comeback and that too as an all-rounder. In an interview with Economic Times, Pandya talked about various aspects including his injuries and comebacks.
When he was asked about if he is looking at IPL 2022 as a comeback platform, Pandya was affirmative and did not hesitate in revealing his comeback plan. "Yes, that’s the plan. My main aim is to be at my peak when the World Cup happens. All my training, planning, preparation is keeping the World Cup in mind. I want to win the World Cup for the country. It will make me really happy and proud. It is like an obsession with me," said the all-rounder. "
IPL will give me a very good preparatory platform for the World Cup but all the hard work ultimately is for the Indian team and the World Cup," explained Pandya.
I have always kept team's interest in mind: Pandya
With all other things, Pandya also talked about the hard steps he took to work on his fitness. While discussing how tough it is to live in a bubble, he said, "We have spent a lot of time in bio bubbles, though everyone has tried to make us feel comfortable, but staying in a bio bubble is very tough."
"I have always rushed myself with my preparation keeping the team’s interest in mind. But this time I wanted some time off to prepare myself physically and mentally. I also wanted to take some time off for my family," said Pandya while talking about his rehabilitation.
Notably, Pandya has struggled to get going in the past few months and eventually lost a place in the national team. He was also released by Mumbai Indians after a seven-year-long association with the franchise. However, he will be back in the IPL with a new role- captain of Ahmedabad.