Hardik Pandya is gearing up for his much-anticipated comeback to the cricketing scene, marking his return at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The dynamic all-rounder, who had been sidelined due to an ankle injury sustained during the One Day International (ODI) World Cup last year, hinted at his return through a video shared on social media.
Hardik posted a video on X and on Instagram
In the video, posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), Pandya showcased his bowling skills during a net session, indicating his recovery from the ankle injury that had kept him out of action in various white-ball series post the 2023 World Cup. The former vice-captain of the Indian cricket team seems eager to make a strong comeback and has been actively updating fans on his progress.
During India’s 1st Test match against England in Hyderabad, Pandya expressed his excitement and gratitude for being back on the field. The all-rounder, who will be leading the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the upcoming IPL season, referred to the cricket ground as a “temple” due to the invaluable lessons he has learned there over the years.
In a heartfelt statement, Pandya shared, “I’m feeling very good after coming back here. I treat (this ground) as a temple because the amount of things I’ve learned on this ground, it’s like a temple for me. What it has taught me is priceless. My journey started literally 17 years back on this very ground. I will make sure everything possible today, and every day.” This emotional reflection on his cricketing journey has resonated well with fans, as evidenced by the post receiving over 600k likes on Instagram.
As the anticipation builds for Pandya’s return, cricket enthusiasts are eagerly looking forward to witnessing his impactful performances in the upcoming IPL season, where he will lead the Mumbai Indians, adding to the excitement surrounding the grand event.