The flamboyant Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya said that he is enjoying his cricket ever since he has come back from a break from international cricket earlier this year. On Thursday, July 7, Pandya received the player of the Match award after India won by 50 runs in the first T20I against England at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. He also scored his maiden T20 half-century off 30 balls, after which Hardik scalped 4 wickets and helped India to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

During the post-match press conference, as per the quotes in India Today, Hardik Pandya said, “The last time I played a T20 in England, I think I took 4 wickets and scored some 30. So I kind of knew I was the first Indian to score fifty and take 4 wickets. I am enjoying my cricket right now.”

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Putting the emphasis on his fitness, Hardik Pandya elaborated, “For me, a lot of time goes into the preparation to get my body ready. The kind of break I took before this run of play, I want to capitalize on the opportunities. I felt I needed that break. It is about giving your 100% and when you don’t do that, there is no point playing. So I needed that break and now I am happy to be in this place right now.”

Hardik Pandya was dropped from the T20 team after his below-par performances in the T20 World Cup 2021, but his brilliant all-around performance in the IPL 2022, helped him make a comeback for the Men in Blue in the limited-overs formats.

Hardik also went on to reveal that he isn’t focusing on the future when he was asked whether he is thinking of returning to play Test cricket for India. He hasn’t played in the longest format of the game since September 2018 due to his persistent back injury issues. Hardik timed his comeback well as he returned only for IPL 2022 even as questions were asked about his absence.

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Elaborating the same, Hardik Pandya said, “I want to make sure that I am available for as many games as possible for India. This is a white-ball season, big World Cups are coming, and the focus is more on white-ball. I now believe that the more I play white-ball cricket for India this season, it’s good. When the opportunity to play Test comes, definitely… but only time will tell what I should play and what I shouldn’t. But now I am focusing on giving 100 percent whenever I can.”