Pandya suffered an ankle injury in India's fourth World Cup match against Bangladesh while delivering his initial over. Pandya expressed that the inability to participate fully in the World Cup would perpetually burden his emotions.
India's all-rounder Hardik Pandya, in his desperate attempt to regain fitness for the remaining World Cup matches last year, revealed that he resorted to extreme measures. These included receiving multiple injections and undergoing a procedure to remove blood clots from his ankle. However, rather than aiding his recovery, these actions only worsened his injury, ultimately forcing him to sit out of the prestigious tournament.
Haste in recovery from injury
Pandya sustained the ankle injury while bowling his first over in India's fourth World Cup game against Bangladesh. He had to leave the field with the assistance of the team physiotherapist and was unable to participate in any further matches. Speaking to Star Sports, Pandya shared, "I received injections in three different areas of my ankles, and I had to undergo a procedure to drain blood from my ankle due to swelling. I was determined not to give up on playing the remaining matches of the World Cup and wanted to give my best for the team. If there was even a one per cent chance of being with the team, I was willing to try my utmost."
Despite being aware of the potential consequences of pushing himself too hard, Pandya took the risk to support his team during a home World Cup.
"I was aware that if I keep pushing myself I might get injured for a long time. For me, that was never the answer.
While I was pushing myself, I had this re-occurrence of injury and it became a three-month injury. I was not able to walk but I was trying to run at that point in time," Pandya recollected.
During that time, the 30-year-old cricketer was confident that he would return to the field within five days, but his recovery took much longer than he had anticipated.
World Cup Regret and Mumbai Homecoming
Pandya expressed his deep regret at not being able to fully participate in the World Cup, stating that it would always be a burden on his emotions. He emphasised that playing for his country is a tremendous source of pride for him, and the opportunity to compete in the World Cup on his home turf held special significance. Pandya referred to the tournament as his own "child" and expressed his strong desire to be present for his team, regardless of the outcome. He acknowledged the weight of missing out on the World Cup and admitted that it would continue to affect him emotionally.
Pandya revealed that he had been preparing for the 50-over World Cup over a year in advance, highlighting his dedication to his craft. Unlike some cricketers who begin their preparations just a couple of months before a tournament, Pandya had meticulously planned his training routine a year and a half before the event. However, he now faces a new challenge as the captain of the Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2024, following his successful leadership of the Gujarat Titans to an IPL title in 2022.
Reflecting on his journey from a young player in Baroda to Mumbai, Pandya expressed gratitude for the city's influence on his growth as a cricketer. He credited Mumbai with teaching him valuable lessons in humility and resilience, and he considered the city's love and guidance to be priceless in shaping him into the player he is today. Pandya acknowledged the city's constant demand for improvement and mentioned his return to Mumbai after a two-year absence, as he takes on the responsibilities of leading the Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
Step up in the career
Pandya had initially joined the Titans for the 2022 season, but he returned to Mumbai before that season and took over as the team's captain, replacing Rohit Sharma.
According to the Baroda player, his participation in the 2015 IPL with MI played a crucial role in transforming his career.
"Coming from Baroda, it was a life-changing experience for me when I remember the 2015 IPL. That year was pivotal in my career. Representing Mumbai Indians amidst seasoned players was a turning point for me. When you get a chance to play with such established players on such a big platform, your life changes.
"I was fortunate enough that I was able to contribute on a much larger scale in the knockout games. Bagging two 'Man of the Match' awards during crucial knockout games was surreal. It marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey for me."