'I got inspired after watching his fitness videos' - Chamika Karunaratne reveals how Hardik Pandya motivated him during his tough time

The Sri Lankan cricket team managed to beat India in the third T20I comfortably with 7 wickets to spare and won the three-match series 2-1. They restricted India to a total of just 81 in 20 overs in the third rubber and chased down the target with more than 6 overs to spare.

And, apart from the series victory that Sri Lanka scored over India, another incident also grabbed the spotlight. And, that involves Chamika Karunaratne and Hardik Pandya. In an interview that was posted by the Twitter handle of Island Cricket, Chamika Karunaratne revealed that he is a huge fan of Hardik Pandya.

Karunaratne also stated that Hardik Pandya is his hero. The Sri Lankan also revealed how he managed to get a bat from Pandya as well. Karunaratne had approached Suryakumar Yadav and told him that he wanted a bat from Pandya. And, it was Yadav who took Karunaratne to Pandya and fulfilled Pandya’s wish.

“Yes, I love him(Pandya). Suryakumar Yadav was the one who helped me for that. I just went and asked him, I like to talk to Hardik Pandya and I love to take a bat from him. And he said just go for it, he will definitely give you. And, when he told me, I said No no, and he was like, ask for it, and Yadav said to Hardik in Hindi that he is asking for a bat.

He( Pandya) asked me first time you want a bat. I said no the first time, then after that he asked me you want a bat, and I was like, yes please. He gave me the bat, and he is a very nice human being.

Chamika Karunaratne reveals the advice he received from Hardik Pandya

Chamika Karunaratne further revealed the advice he received from Hardik Pandya. Pandya told Karunaratne to be disciplined, improve himself on a daily basis and play his natural game. The Sri Lankan added that Pandya is his role model, and he has often looked up to Pandya for inspiration. Karunaratne concluded by stating that the willow that Pandya gifted him is an A Grade bat, and he was happy to get a bat from him.

“He(Pandya) talked to me and messaged me saying play the game and be disciplined. Day by day improve yourself, learn and play the game the way you are playing and he told me so many things. And thanks to him. He was a role model for me because six to eight months ago I had a really hard time and I was looking at his Instagram pictures and videos and the way he is training.

I think he was a role model for me and I am thanking him again for giving me a lovely bat to be honest. I think it is an A Grade bat, and we do not get that quality bat, so I am really happy to get a bat from him,” concluded Karunaratne.

You can watch the video below

Interesting chat with #SriLanka cricketer Chamika Karunaratne, pic.twitter.com/tD7DYS8Fut

— Island Cricket (@IslandCricket) July 30, 2021