Hardik Pandya eyes comeback in ODI series in Australia

He could not witness from close the international debut of his brother Krunal Pandya, because of the injury which forced him out of the ground on a stretcher during the Asia Cup in the UAE in September. He is also set to miss the first half of India’s high-profile tour of Australia. But ace all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been working hard to return to the 22 yards and hopes he would be back to play for the country in the ODI series against Australia scheduled in January.

The 25-year-old was a member of India’s long tour of England and then was picked for the Asia Cup. But Pandya could not complete his fifth over in the first game of the tournament which was against Pakistan after suffering a lower back injury which saw him getting stretchered off. He has not played a match since, not even in the domestic circuit.

Started bowling after 60 days

“I’m trying hard to be fit for the ODI series against Australia to start in January 2019. To get back to full fitness, I’m going through rigorous bowling sessions in Mumbai. I have just started bowling after 60 days. Once I bowl a few overs in the ODIs, I think I should be on the right track,” Pandya was quoted as saying. He is one of the key members of the Indian team at the moment and was speaking at an event in Mumbai on November 20.

Pandya, who made his international debut in Australia in 2016 but is yet to play a Test or ODI Down Under yet, backed India in the upcoming series and said as a “formidable side”, the visitors “should give a good fight to Australia” who he believed are very strong in their own den. “I am hoping for an exciting series,” he said.

Led by Virat Kohli, India were set to take on Australia in the first T20I at the Gabba, Brisbane, on Wednesday. India will play four Tests and three ODIs following the three-game T20I series. Krunal, who made his debut against the Windies recently, is a member of India’s T20I squad in Australia.

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