Nothing can come between me and my cricket, asserts Hardik Pandya
Despite all the criticism directed towards him for his flamboyant attitude, Hardik Pandya insists that no external factors will ever come between him and his cricket. Pandya has been recovering from a lower back injury that he suffered during India’s Asia Cup encounter against Pakistan last month.
Baroda-based all-rounder Hardik Pandya can also be described as the Indian equivalent of Manchester United’s Paul Pogba. The two have a lot in common. Young, extravagant, short-tempered and loads of talent, but while Pogba as already laid his hands on the World Cup, Pandya still
Pandya, who suffered a lower back injury during India’s match against Pakistan in the recently concluded Asia Cup, is currently undergoing rehabilitation as he gears up to make a return to the senior team soon. In a recent interview with TOI, the Indian all-rounder spoke about how he is not bothered by his critics and has his mind set on winning the World Cup next year.
"In India, you enjoy freedom of speech. People can say what they want to. I like to carry myself in a stylish manner. And if you can look good, why not? But nothing can come between me and my cricket.
"My individual, and the team goal, right now is getting the World Cup back. It's my biggest goal. I want to give more than 100% to make sure that we win the World Cup. That's why right now, I'm focusing on improving my skills, fitness … mentally I want to get stronger. Because that 10-15% (extra) would be very critical. I'll give 100%, but if I can give 10-15% more to my game, then it would give me great comfort, and I'd be able to do a lot of things which I'm not able to do now," Pandya told TOI.
Pandya also heaped praise on captain, Virat Kohli, who has played a huge role in the development of his game. The Mumbai Indians star added that he is constantly trying to improve his game in order to function at his 100 per cent.
"He's been a great support. He's helped me improve my game, which is a fantastic quality in him. Till now, I've grown with him. My career started under MS, then Virat took over. I've improved under both of them.
"Not only my batting,
