'So good to be back on the field where I belong' - Hardik Pandya announces his comeback

After a significant amount of time off the cricket field, India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya has finally managed to put a smile on fans’ faces when he made a remarkable comeback through DY Patil T20 tournament. The big-hitting all-rounder has dropped a big hint that he has regained match fitness after sustaining an acute lower back injury five months ago.

Hardik Pandya has been lying low as he underwent successful surgery in October 2019 in a bid to treat an acute lower-back injury and has been out of cricketing action since then. He was seen bowling at the training session ahead of India’s ODI series against Australia in January.

Last month, the all-rounder was ruled out of the Test series against New Zealand after he was not declared match-fit. Pandya took the decision after he consulted spinal surgeon James Allibone in the United Kingdom (UK). However, he was fit and raring to play the DY Patil T20 and it didn’t take much time for him to make an instant impact as an all-rounder.

The star all-rounder made a stellar return to the game as he bludgeoned 38 off 25 balls. He followed it with a blistering ton in the next match where he smashed 105 runs off just 39 deliveries at a staggering strike rate of almost 270.

Hardik Pandya announces his return on Instagram

On Monday, Hardik Pandya announced that he is fit as a fiddle and should be available for the team selection anytime soon. He shared pictures of himself on the field on micro-blogging Instagram platform where he expressed his delight to be back in action while also thanking his fans for relentless support.

“So good to be back out there on the field where I belong. Your support keeps me going,” Hardik Pandya wrote.

Hardik Pandya’s comeback bodes well for four-time IPL champions, Mumbai Indians and their fans as Rohit Sharma-led team will kick-start their title defence when they lock horns with Chennai Super Kings in the thirteenth edition of the Indian Premier League that goes all guns blazing on March 29 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

A National Cricket Academy (NCA) source in the know of developments added that Hardik Pandya has already started working on his bowling and should be available for team selection soon.

Ahead of the IPL, Team India are scheduled to play three-match ODI series against South Africa at home with the first match slated to be played at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala on March 12, Thursday. There is a distinct possibility that the fit-again Hardik Pandya might be included in the squad.