Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has revealed how he struggled mentally during his recovery period from injury.

Pandya who has been recalled into the squad for their upcoming ODI series against South Africa in an interview with team-mate Yuzvendra Chahal aired on the website of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said he missed the atmosphere for the last six months.

Before his injury, Pandya was in action for India in September 2019. With the first ODI earlier scheduled for Thursday failing to hold due to washout, he could be making his first appearance, which will be his first ODI match since July 2019.

Speaking on being on the sidelines in the last six months, the all-rounder noted that it’s usually a great feeling to play for one’s country which had become a mental challenge for him, leading to a lot of setbacks.

Speaking further Pandya also revealed that he was trying to return to full fitness quickly, which didn’t work out and a lot of mental pressure set in. He added that despite the pressure,  everything went well, adding that the rehabilitation went well and he got help from a lot of people.

Pandya was planning to return to the team in their recently concluded tour of New Zealand. He had to pull out of the A tour, and the BCCI said he was yet to recover fully.

To convince selectors that he has regained his full fitness, the all-rounder return to the pitch during an invitational T20 tournament in Mumbai. Pandya scored two centuries, which is the second of which was an unbeaten 55-ball 158, including 20 sixes.

While noting that his international comeback, which he said was very important for his confidence, Pandya said he had not played anything for six and a half months. So, for him to make an

He also stated that no matter how much you practice, the match situation is always different.

Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed