Hardik Pandya is all set to return to the Internationals after enjoying a month”s break. The T20I series against the Proteas will be his first appearance after the World Cup. In the latest interview with IANS, Hardik spoke on several aspects including the fitness levels and how the break moulded him to a better sportsman.
Hardik said that he is always focussed on aiding the team when things aren”t going right in the middle. He is excited to be playing against the Proteas whom he termed as a “good team”.
Speaking on the break and his absence in the Carribean tour, Pandya said “It was important for me (the break) as the IPL was long and then the World Cup followed, and I had a good run in both tournaments. So, I was looking to give it my best and that required my body to get some rest as a precaution is better than cure.”
It is worth noting that Hardik”s fine form was one of the reasons behind Mumbai Indians” successful stint in this year”s IPL.
Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and several others have set their own trends in the area of fitness. They constantly urge youngsters to be fit and that helps to achieve their goals at a better pace. Hardik is no exception. Several videos surfaced on his intensive workouts and that turned audience mad. Hardik mentioned that this “little break” helped him to take his fitness levels to another extent.
“My fitness has gone to the next level. I started doing pilates and that has helped me a lot. This last one month, I trained twice a day. It was important that I try something new to improve my back. It was important for me and my game to take this break,” said Pandya.
Hardik not a part of Tests
Though Hardik is a part of the limited-overs set-up, he hasn”t been given a go for the test series. He last played a test during the English tour last year.
It will be interesting if the selectors will choose to include him in upcoming fixtures.