Hardik Pandy, who is playing cricket after a long injury layoff for Mumbai Indians says it is important to enjoy the upcoming IPL 2020 in UAE along with following necessary strict guidelines.
Hardik Pandya has featured in 11 Tests,54 one-dayers and 40 T20Is besides 66 IPL matches. He has 1068 runs averaging 28.86 which includes 3 half-centuries. He has also taken 42 wickets averaging 31.26 in the IPL matches. He has played for Mumbai Indians since 2015.
Photo Credit: IPL/BCCI.
Hardik Pandya Says One Must Follow Rules And Says IPL Will Be Like Ranji Matches Due To Fans Absence
Recently the IPL suffered a blow with 13 of CSK members being tested positive including 2 Indian cricketers Rituraj Gaekwad and Deepak Chahar.
“More excited than nervous because a good 10 months I have been training and looking forward to play so the portion where the nervousness comes or the pressure comes has gone away.” Hardik told ANI.
“For me it is just simple. Follow what the health officials say and follow what the team management says.But one person can ruin everyone’s hard work over the last 3-4 months. So, we are only focusing on cricket right now because MI is taking care of the rest.”
“I feel we are in one of the best franchise which any player can be in. So, for us, we didn’t feel that scared as we had the MI management looking after that factor and we were only focusing on our game. Credit goes to MI for that,” he said.
Hardik Pandya likened IPL matches to Ranji Trophy ones due to absence of fans in the stadium.
“It will be a different experience, but we have all played Ranji Trophy without fans and T20 cricket without fans. So, for me, as a cricketer, only thing we focus on when we go in is the ball, or the player or whatever is happening with the XI players.
“For me, I don’t think much will be different as we have played in the past without fans.” he explained.
Ranji Matches take place without fans as domestic cricketers play in front of empty stadiums but some matches are telecast live on Television.
Hardik Pandya Working Hard To Attain Full Fitness Besides Looking To Perform In His Every Opportunity
Hardik Pandya who had been out of action due to a back injury but had a successful operation after the 2019 ODI World Cup says he is working hard to attain full fitness.
“To be honest, I look after my back now as well. But it is just that if I was 7/10 fit before, now with the back surgery and all, if I want to be same or better than before, I had to increase my fitness one level.
“It is completely dependent on how my body reacts.Whichever opportunity I get, I will go out and play,” he said
He has not decided yet on whether he wants to focus on only one format but will look to every opportunity which comes his way.