Hardik Pandya grateful for girlfriend Mahieka’s support during injury return

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has credited his inner circle, with a special mention for his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma, for helping him make a seamless return to international cricket after a two-month injury layoff.

The 32-year-old marked his comeback with a massive 101-run win against South Africa in the opening T20I in Cuttack on Tuesday.

Pandya, who suffered a left quadriceps injury during the Asia Cup in September, spent an extensive period at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru before returning to full strength before turning out for Baroda in domestic cricket. The layoff, he said, tested him mentally but also gave him time to reflect, recover and stay close to his loved ones.

“My mindset was really about coming back stronger, bigger, better. Injuries test you mentally and put a lot of doubts in your mind. A lot of credit for a successful comeback goes to my loved ones,” said Pandya in a video posted on bcci.tv.

“A special mention to my partner. She has been nothing but the best to me since she entered my life. A lot of great things have happened since she arrived.”

Hardik and Mahieka’s relationship first became public in October when they were spotted together at Mumbai airport. The couple later shared photographs from a beach holiday and a family function, even as Pandya continued rehabilitation in Bengaluru. Their frequent appearances also sparked chatter, prompting Pandya to recently criticise sections of the paparazzi for circulating images of Mahieka without consent.