‘I warned him that he would get injured’ – Shoaib Akhtar recalls conversation with Hardik Pandya in 2018 Asia Cup

India’s long-lasting search for a fast-bowling all-rounder seemed to have ended with Hardik Pandya’s international debut in 2016. The Baroda-born lad also impressed one and all with his three-dimensional skills in national colours. However, he sustained a back injury in 2018 and has been in and out of the team since then. Pandya’s international career graph has especially seen a massive downfall since India’s exit in the 2019 World Cup.

The all-rounder has been far away from his best this year and has received massive criticism for his role in India’s exit from the T20 World Cup 2021. Speaking on the matter, former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar revealed that he had predicted the all-rounder’s fitness issues and had also warned Pandya. The 45-year-old further explained that a lean physique and a weak back have contributed to the 28-year-old’s issues.

Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya were lean like birds: Shoaib Akhtar

Recalling his conversation with Pandya in the 2018 Asia Cup, Akhtar revealed that he had warned Pandya to strengthen his back. “I had told (Jasprit) Bumrah in Dubai and even Hardik Pandya. They were lean like birds. They didn’t have back muscles. Even now, I have such good strong back muscles behind my shoulders,” said Akhtar while speaking on Aakash Chopra’s YouTube channel.

“I touched his (Hardik) back, muscles were there but very lean. So I warned him that he would get injured. But he said that he has been playing a lot of cricket. Exactly an hour-and-a-half later, he got injured”, he further added.

During the group-stage game against Pakistan in the 2018 Asia Cup, Hardik was taken off the field while bowling in the match. His career has been heavily affected with back issues since then.  Akhtar also mentioned that he had suggested Hardik to increase his muscle mass to prolong his career.

Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya was dropped from India’s T20I team following their horrendous campaign in the T20 World Cup 2021 last month. Hence, he didn’t feature in the subsequent T20I series against New Zealand. Reports have emerged that Pandya has asked the national selectors to not consider him for a while as he’s determined to regain full fitness.