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Hardik Pandya successfully underwent a back surgery in London. The Indian all-rounder picked up an injury in an Asia Cup match in UAE last September. Although he recovered in time for the IPL and World Cup, but the injury reappeared soon after. However he played for India in the T20I series against South Africa, the Vadodara player will miss the upcoming games against Bangladesh.
Pandya was in London to treat the lower back issue, and after the surgery the cricketer posted a picture on Instagram saying “Surgery done successfully. Extremely grateful to everyone for your wishes. Will be back in no time! Till then miss me”.
He is not the only current team member to sustain an injury. His colleague and star bowler Jasprit Bumrah also sustained a minor stress fracture in his lower back.
Stress fractures are common injuries that cricketers pick up, specifically young fast bowlers as the most commonly affected part of the lower back is the ‘Pars Interarticularis’ region of the Lumbar vertebra, where a stress fracture can develop.
When a player bowls, there is a strong reaction between his/her foot and the ground. With each delivery bowled, a reaction force is transmitted up through the foot to the rest of the body and eventually the spine. If the bowler jumps high and lands heavily, the reaction between the ground and their body will be significant. Sometimes it can be 15 times more than the weight of the bowler. There is a certain level of stress that the players’ bones, muscles and soft tissues can handle. If exceeded, the fatigue starts to kick in resulting in stress fractures.
Before his injury resurfaced, Hardik’s contributions to the team in the World Cup were significant for an all-rounder. Pandya scored 226 runs and picked up 10 wickets in 9 games. In two T20 matches against South Africa, his bowling figures were 1/31 and 1/23 respectively.
Speedy recovery to you Hardik!
LMAO Hardik Pandya is wearing a golden chain watch in his hospital bed right after his surgery. ?
— Vasanth Kumar (@gully_point) October 5, 2019
