Whatever happened in Hardik's personal life was very disappointing for him: Rohit Sharma

Hardik Pandya is one cricketer who has seen life very closely over the last many months. A regular member of Team India across formats, the talented all-rounder was first floored by an injury during the Asia Cup last September. Hardik missed the earlier part of the tour of Australia and just when he was about to make a comeback, a TV controversy hit him along with KL Rahul and both the players were handed a temporary suspension.

Hardik made his international comeback eventually mid-way into the series against New Zealand but again a back injury did him in and he missed the limited-overs home series against Australia, which was India’s last international series before the World Cup starting May 30. But now Hardik is back and he is having a successful run in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019, especially batting down the order for Mumbai Indians (MI) with a thumping effect.

Hardik undertook an audacious chase against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) the other night at the Eden Gardens when they were chasing a total of 233 in 20 overs. MI were four down for 58 in the ninth over when the all-rounder stepped in and belted 91 off just 32 balls to take his side close to the KKR total. Mumbai eventually fell short of the target by 32 runs but Hardik’s knock ensured that their net run-rate didn’t suffer too badly to hurt their march into the playoffs.

Hardik India’s big hope in WC, says Rohit

MI captain Rohit Sharma who also happens to be the vice-captain of India highlighted the importance Hardik commands in the side, especially with the WC around the corner. He reckoned that the 25-year-old will play a big role in India’s quest for their third world title.

Rohit also lauded the Baroda cricketer saying the disturbance in his personal life because of the controversies didn’t affect his confidence and he came back strongly into his game.

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“Whatever happened in his personal life was very disappointing for him. But the way he came back from all of that, it is very important for a cricketer. There will be a lot of setbacks in your life but how you deal with them and bounce back is what matters,” Rohit was quoted as saying to Boria Majumdar, Consulting Editor Sports, India Today Group.

“Hardik has made a good comeback. He rejoined the team in New Zealand, performed well there and now he is doing so well in the IPL. He is hitting the ball a long way. His confidence level never dipped even during that rough phase in his life. He was disappointed but his confidence was still up there,” he added.

“Even when I spoke to him after that I realised that he was a bit disappointed but in a good frame of mind,” Rohit said.

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