It was more about battles I won against my own self: Hardik Pandya after making a solid comeback

It is never easy for any sportsman to make a comeback after a long hiatus. A lot of work has to be done behind the scenes and that is what Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya did to make a roaring comeback. Pandya had last played for India in the T20 World Cup 2021 before turning up for the national team in the first T20I against South Africa at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Thursday.

Pandya led Gujarat Titans from the front as he amassed 487 runs in 15 matches at an impressive average of 44.27 and scored his runs at a strike rate of 131.27 in Tata IPL 2022 and thus played a huge role in the success of his team.

In fact, not a lot of cricket experts had put their money on Gujarat Titans as they didn’t have a great batting unit but Pandya was able to lead his team to glory as they came up with a collective show.

Pandya revealed he made a lot of sacrifices to prepare in the best possible manner before the start of the IPL. A lot of people had written him off however he was able to prove his mettle at the top level. The all-rounder followed a strict training regime for four months and he was able to reap fruits from the same.

“I was happy,” Hardik told BCCI.tv. “It was more about the battles I won against my own self and a lot of other things as well. Winning the IPL, or even qualifying [for the playoffs] was a big deal for me because a lot of people doubted us,” he said.

“A lot of people frowned at us before we started. A lot of people raised a lot of questions. A lot of things were said about me even before I made a comeback. “But it was never about giving them answers. I’m just proud of the process I followed. No one knows what I went through during the six months that I was off. I’ve gotten up at 5 in the morning to make sure I train. I slept at 9:30 in the night for four months, so [there was] a lot of sacrifice.

“It was the battle I fought before the IPL. I have always worked hard in my life, and it has always given me the result I wanted.”

On the other hand, Pandya revealed his target is to do well for the country in the T20 World Cup. The all-rounder said it is imperative to have the right rhythm before the T20I showpiece.

“Every series or every game you play is as important as your last,” Hardik said. “So, for me, World Cup is the goal, this is the right platform to get into the rhythm and a lot of cricket is going to come back-to-back. Always being in the rhythm is very important.

“My role will be changed here, I won’t be captain, I won’t be batting higher up the order and guiding through the innings. This will be back to being the Hardik for which I am known.”

Pandya has been in fine form and will look to continue the same for India. The right-hander scored an unbeaten knock of 31 runs off just 12 balls in the first T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Thursday against South Africa to add the finishing touches.