<p class="bodytext">Clearing the ambiguity regarding his absence from the Indian squad for the first two Tests against Sri Lanka, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya on Monday said he himself had requested the team management for rest since he was not feeling 100 percent fit.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Pandya was included in the squad before being rested. The BCCI media release did not have clarity whether it was a case of fatigue or injury.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"To be honest, I asked for it. My body wasn't up to it. I was getting niggles because of the amount of cricket that I have played. I want to play cricket, when I am totally up for it, when I can give my 100 percent," Pandya told CNN-News18.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I am lucky that I have got this break. I will train in the gym during this break and improve my fitness. I am really excited for South Africa series. I would like to use this break to improve my fitness," added Pandya, who will be at the NCA to improve strength and conditioning.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Pandya is hopeful that he can make a difference for the team in South Africa with his all-round abilities.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Yes, I am really excited. People are talking about it. It's a much-hyped series. I like challenges in life, they keep me going. Who knows I might be the difference there. I am sure we are going to play very well," he said.</p>
<p class="bodytext">Clearing the ambiguity regarding his absence from the Indian squad for the first two Tests against Sri Lanka, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya on Monday said he himself had requested the team management for rest since he was not feeling 100 percent fit.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Pandya was included in the squad before being rested. The BCCI media release did not have clarity whether it was a case of fatigue or injury.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"To be honest, I asked for it. My body wasn't up to it. I was getting niggles because of the amount of cricket that I have played. I want to play cricket, when I am totally up for it, when I can give my 100 percent," Pandya told CNN-News18.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I am lucky that I have got this break. I will train in the gym during this break and improve my fitness. I am really excited for South Africa series. I would like to use this break to improve my fitness," added Pandya, who will be at the NCA to improve strength and conditioning.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Pandya is hopeful that he can make a difference for the team in South Africa with his all-round abilities.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Yes, I am really excited. People are talking about it. It's a much-hyped series. I like challenges in life, they keep me going. Who knows I might be the difference there. I am sure we are going to play very well," he said.</p>