The Hindu (Thiruvananthapuram)
I had injections and clots removed from ankle after WC injury: Hardik
Allrounder reveals he pushed himself and he took the risk to be with the team during the showpiece event
In his desperation to regain fitness for the remaining World Cup matches last year, India allrounder Hardik Pandya said he resorted to extreme measures like taking multiple injections and removing blood clots from his ankle but pushing the boundaries only aggravated the injury, forcing him to sit out of the showpiece event.
Hardik injured his ankle during India’s fourth World Cup game against Bangladesh and had to limp off the field with the help of the team physio. He did not play any further part in the tournament.
“I got injections done on my ankles at three different places and I had to remove blood from my ankle because of the swelling. I didn’t want to give up (on playing the remainder of the World Cup); for the team I will give my best. If there is one per cent chance that I can be with the team I will try my best,” Hardik told Star Sports.
However, Hardik said he was aware that pushing himself hard could bring adverse results, but that’s the risk he took to be with the team during a home World Cup.
“I was aware that (if) I keep pushing myself I might get injured for (a) long time. For me, that was never the answer.
“While I was pushing myself, I had this reoccurrence (of injury) and it became a threemonth injury. I was not able to walk but I was trying to run (at) that point of time,” Hardik recalled.
At that time, the 30yearold was confident of coming back in five days, but the recuperation took much longer than he expected.
“When I came out (of the field following injury), I informed the team that I will be back in five days. I tried to push myself for 10 days, took painkillers to make a comeback. But this was a freak injury and very few people know about it.
“My injury got extended and I had to take more time because when I got injured, it was a 25day rehab injury,” he added.
Hardik said that not being able to play fully in the World Cup would always weigh heavily on his heart.
“For me the biggest pride is to play for the country. This was my baby; playing the World Cup at home is my child. So, I wanted to be there for them.
Nonetheless, whether we win or not, all I wanted (was) to be there for my child. Obviously, I missed out and that is something which is always going to (be) heavy on my heart,” he detailed.