Hardik Pandya aims to come back in Australia ODIs
Pandya’s back seized up during the match against Pakistan, and had to be stretchered off. He was later confirmed to have an ‘acute back injury’.
He has been sidelined since, and will miss the Twenty20 International and Tests in India’s ongoing tour of Australia.
"If the fast bowlers do well then we'll not miss him much" – Ravi Shastri on Hardik Pandya's absence in the upcoming #AUSvIND series.
— ICC (@ICC) November 18, 2018
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However, he still hopes to make the ODI side, with the first match to be played in Sydney on 12 January. “I'm trying hard to be fit for the ODI series against Australia to start in January,” Pandya was quoted as saying by The Times of Indiain Mumbai on Tuesday, 20 November. “To get back to full fitness, I'm going through rigorous bowling sessions in Mumbai.
“I have just started bowling after 60 days. Once I bowl a few overs in the ODIs, I should be on the right track.”
That said, Hardik believes his team-mates will cause Australia plenty of problems in the three T20Is and the four Tests after that. "We are a formidable side and we should give a good fight to Australia who I believe are very strong in their own backyard,” said Pandya. “I am hoping for an exciting series.”
Pandya also wished his brother – Krunal Pandya, the left-arm spinning all-rounder who is making a mark at the international level – the very best for the series. “I'm very happy to see Krunal representing the country Down Under.”