Zaheer is trying to keep Hardik Pandya to stay focued on cricket.
India cricketer Hardik Pandya will be back in action after being in and out from cricket because of controversy and injury. The year 2019 has not been good so far for the all-rounder. His appearance in the show Koffee with Karan put his career in danger. When he got relief from it, injury scare trapped him and he was given a time period of three weeks to recover before IPL.
Mumbai Indians director, Zaheer Khan is keen to keep Hardik focused. He knows the cricketer is on track after facing so much backlash this year.
"Sometimes the distraction actually helps you get back on track. So, he is pretty much on track. For any cricketer, the best way to go about his business is by going out there on that field and let his numbers talk. He is in that frame of mind. He wants opportunities, he wants to go out there, express himself and let everyone know that his priority is cricket," he said.
The injury Hardik suffered during Asia Cup 2018 came back to haunt him before the Australia limited-overs series at home. After being stretchered off the field in a group stage game against Pakistan, Pandya returned to Australia and New Zealand tour. But recently, his back injury forced him out of the Australia tour to India.
About the recovery, Zaheer shared his views. "I have been having chats with Hardik around that in terms of general approach and the feedback I am getting from him. When I saw him in the Asia Cup, I was actually concerned to see that sight on the field. When I spoke with him, he said it is not something he has faced for the first time. He had a similar kind of issue with the back three-four years ago as well.
"It is related to what he feels through the crease when he is getting off (run up) which has an impact which he has been working on. In the shorter run, it is not going to have any consequences because he is pretty aware of where things stand. In the longer run, he knows what are the things needed to get rid of those issues permanently," he added.
(With India Today Inputs)