Hardik Pandya shows off his new tattoo on forearm

For Hardik Pandya, the maiden cricket World Cup was a decent journey. The Baroda all-rounder scored 226 runs and picked 10 wickets in nine matches in the tournament and played out the role that was expected of him fairly well. He gave the side that much flexibility by fulfilling the role of the third seamer and fifth bowler. The 25-year-old cricketer has been rested after the World Cup and will not travel to the West Indies for the tour starting August 3 with a T20I in the United States.

Hardik’s roller-coaster ride in career since September 2018

The last 10 months have been quite eventful in Hardik’s career. After getting out of the field on a stretcher during a game against Pakistan in the Asia Cup last September, Hardik had some time coping with his injury. He missed India’s historic Test series in Australia and made a comeback into the domestic circuit in December.

But just when he was about to make an international comeback, Hardik found his name getting involved in an ugly row related to his remarks on a TV show hosted by Karan Johar. Both he and KL Rahul, who was with him, were suspended following a backlash though that was lifted soon.

Hardik went on to play international game midway into the New Zealand series but missed India’s final international assignments before the World Cup – two limited-over series at home. Hardik then played in the Indian Premier League and put up some gutsy show with the bat down the order.

The man is now at ease and recently posted on his Instagram account a photo of his new forearm tattoo of that of a lion. The fans too liked the assertive artwork.

Hardik’s brother Krunal though has been picked for India’s T20I squad for the tour of the West Indies. Krunal though has been a newcomer in the Indian side but Hardik has already played in 11 Tests, 54 ODIs and 38 T20Is scoring over 1,700 runs and picking more than 100 wickets.