As Hardik Pandya undergoes rehabilitation after a successful back surgery, Hardik wants to stay mentally healthy and patient as he feels cricket is in his blood and won’t take him long to put on his A-game on the pitch. In an interview with IANS, Hardik spoke about his mental well being and the importance of patience in dealing with matters like these. Speaking about the decision to go under the knife, the all-rounder said that he tried to avoid surgery for a long time but a failure to recover 100% left him with no other option.
“I was managing the back, tried everything possible not to get into surgery or anything. After trying everything, we came to the conclusion that it wasn’t working. I noticed that I was not able to give my 100 per cent and that meant I was not doing justice to myself and the team. That is when I decided to go for the surgery,” said Hardik.
Speaking about his recovery, Pandya said: “To be honest, right now I feel very good. We are working very properly. After surgery it is not easy, so we are trying to ensure that we cover all the areas. But everything said and done, injuries aren’t something you can control. I have noticed this after playing for 4-5 years that even if I don’t wish to get injured and take the necessary precautions, injuries is something which is a part and parcel of a sportsperson’s life. You cannot say I will not get injured and have to take it how it comes. So right now, I am trying to come back strong.”
Hardik is in a tight battle with time to be fit for the New Zealand tour, but the decision to have surgery done in October was made keeping the Indian Premier League and more-importantly the forthcoming T20 World Cup in mind. While there are chances that the 25-year-old might not be at his best against the Kiwis, the IPL will give him the perfect opportunity to prepare for the T20 World Cup in Australia.
“100 per cent (on the decision to not delay surgery further)! We decided to do the surgery now because we saw the future and thought this is the right time. I could have done the surgery a month later, but it would not have helped me in any way. I was feeling the difference in my back and wasn’t able to take it.
