Hardik Pandya: “To be honest, I asked for it, because my body was not alright”
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has revealed that he asked the BCCI for some time off ahead of the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka.
Last week, the board made an announcement that Pandya would miss the first two Tests of the three-match series, and added that the decision had been made to ensure the 24-year-old didn’t succumb to an injury.
“To be honest, I asked for it, because my body was not alright,” he told CNN-News 18. “I want to play cricket when I’m totally fit and I’m giving my 100% and I was not able to give that because of a few niggles here and there, which is bound to happen because of the amount of cricket which I have played over this one year.
“I have played 30 ODIs, 25 T20Is and three Test matches in one-and-a half-years. I have not played this much cricket in my total cricketing career in such a short time.
As an all-rounder, it’s difficult. I do my bowling, I do my batting, I do fielding as well, and managing my workload is very important right now because I have not played much cricket in my life.”
With the BCCI granting his request for a break, Pandya will now work on his fitness and prepare for India’s upcoming tour of South Africa, which begins on January 5.
“I’m lucky that I got this rest,” he said. “Actually, rest means I’m going to train in the gym and improve my fitness and again come back properly fit. I’m pretty excited for the South Africa series. I wanted that break to get super fit for the South Africa series and then I can bounce back quickly.
“People keep on talking about away series. People keep on talking about England tours, South Africa tours, Australia tours, which is important, which is hard. I like these kinds of challenges I keep on getting in my life. That keeps me going all the time.
“It may be an important thing for me, important to have an all-rounder who can contribute in bowling and batting both. I might be the difference, let’s see. I’ve never played in South Africa. I’m pretty sure we’re going to do well.”
However, some have criticised the BCCI for allowing Pandya to take some time off. But, the all-rounder has opted to turn a deaf ear to his critics.
“Let’s be honest. It doesn’t matter what they think. What matters is what the management thinks and what I think is important for me,” he said.