Follow UsIndia allrounder Hardik Pandya said that he was fully focused on maintaining a disciplined lifestyle as he was able to overcome mental hurdles to get back to the national team.
The 29-year old, who has been suffering with injury set backs over the last two years, returned to the Indian team for the ongoing South Africa T20I series after leading Gujarat Titans to the IPL 2022 title in their debut season.
"I was happy. It was more about the battles I won against my own self and a lot of other things as well. Winning the IPL, or even qualifying (for playoffs) was a big deal for me because a lot of people doubted us. A lot of people frowned at us before we started. A lot of people raised a lot of questions. A lot of things were said about me even before I made a comeback," Pandya said in a video posted by BCCI.tv.
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Pandya revealed that he has been following a strict routine in order to reach his goals on the pitch.
"It was never about giving them answers. I'm just proud of the process I followed. No one knows what I went through the six months that I was off. I've gotten up at 5 in morning to make sure I train. I slept at 9:30 in the night for fourth months, so (there was) a lot of sacrifice. It was the battle I fought before the IPL. I have always worked hard in my life, and it has always given me the result I wanted," he said.
Pandya said that his current aim will be to make it to the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia in October.
"Every series or every game you play is as important as your last. So, for me, World Cup is the goal, this is the right platform to get into the rhythm and a lot of cricket is going to come back to back. Always being in the rhythm is very important," he said.
Pandya scored 487 runs from 15 innings and claimed eight wickets as Gujarat Titans lifted their maiden title. He continued his good form with 31 not out off 12 balls in the first T20I at Delhi.
"My role will be changed here, I won't be captain, I won't be batting higher up the order and guiding through the innings. This will be back to being the Hardik for which I am known for," the allrounder said.
(With inputs from PTI)