Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya sustained an almost career-ending injury during the 2018 edition of the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Since then, he has been struggling with injuries and finally underwent surgery last year. Recently, Hardik opened up on the difficult phase saying he almost thought that he won’t play again.
The incident took place during the 18th over of the high-profile game against Pakistan. The youngster missed his follow-through on his run-up and collapsed on the ground while bowling to Babar Azam, who was batting on 35.
I thought my career was over with the injury: Hardik Pandya
The injury looked serious from the onset. The physio immediately ran inside the ground to treat Hardik Pandya. Unable to walk, Hardik was then stretchered off. Ambati Rayudu bowled the last ball of the over. Going down the memory lane, Hardik thought that it could possibly have ended his career.
“I genuinely thought my career would be over because I have never seen someone walking off the ground in a stretcher,” Pandya was quoted a saying to Harsha Bhogle on Cricbuzz.
“So, when that happened and when I saw myself…..firstly, I was knocked out for 10 minutes. I was blacked out and didn’t know when I go inside. I just didn’t know. That is why I asked people to go away. After that pain never went down,” he added.
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya struggled his way through 2019 owing to the injury. He played the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the ICC World Cup 2019 but didn’t manage to give his full effort. He finally underwent surgery in September last year in England.
The swashbuckling all-rounder, who is expecting a child, regained full fitness earlier this year. The selectors drafted him for the three-match ODI series against South Africa. But owing to coronavirus pandemic, BCCI had to call-off the bilateral series. Hardik is currently itching to get back on the field and set the floor rolling.
