India all-rounder Hardik Pandya underwent a lower-back surgery in London on Friday before taking to social media to declare it as a success.
The 25-year-old has been plagued with back troubles for some time now and was rested for India’s recent full tour of the West Indies before being included in the squad for the recent T20 series against South Africa at home.
The Baroda-born all-rounder had complained of back issues after the final T20 against the Proteas following which a decision to have a surgery was taken by the BCCI’s medical team.
“The BCCI Medical Team consulted a panel of spine specialists in England and they recommended surgery for a long-term solution of this issue,” the Indian cricket board said in a statement released on Saturday.
“On Friday, a successful surgery was conducted. Hardik will soon commence his rehabilitation process.”
Wishing you a speedy recovery😇 https://t.co/qfeWK2NjVQ
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 5, 2019
Pandya’s first issues with his lower back popped up during India’s 2018 summer tour of England but the all-rounder continued to play through the pain before finally breaking down in the Asia Cup held in the UAE.
He made his return to the Test squad for India’s year-end tour of Australia before going on to participate in the 2019 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Mumbai Indians. Pandya was part of India’s World Cup 2019 squad which lost to New Zealand in the semi-final before he was eventually rested for the Caribbean tour to follow.
The athletic India all-rounder is now expected to undergo an extensive period of rehabilitation following his surgery and will most definitely be out for the upcoming home series against Bangladesh and the West Indies.
Pandya’s surgery comes on the heels of pacer Jasprit Bumrah sustaining a lower stress fracture recently. The star pacer is expected to travel to England as well in the near future to seek further consultations for his back issues.
