All-rounder Hardik Pandya credited his inner circle — with a special mention for his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma — for supporting him through a seamless return to competitive cricket. The India vice-captain made a strong impression on his comeback to international cricket, delivering an excellent all-round performance in India’s 101-run win over South Africa in the opening fixture of a five-match series in Cuttack on Tuesday, December 9.

Hardik had been out of action for more than two months after suffering a left quadriceps injury at the Asia Cup in the UAE in September. The Baroda all-rounder missed the final against Pakistan and required longer than initially anticipated to regain fitness. His recovery included an extended stint at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, where he

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