• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

SMAT 2025:In what was a heartwarming incident of the ongoing tournament, Baroda's star all-rounder Hardik Pandya was seen hugging Gujarat's star spinner Ravi Bishnoi after the bowler dismissed him in Hyderabad. The incident occurred in the second innings when Baroda were 69/1 while chasing a meagre target of 74 runs. Bishnoi had bowled the ball towards off-stumps, and Pandya mistimed the shot and was caught in the deep.

Bishnoi saw that the fielder took the catch and was seen celebrating by raising his arms in the air. Then Pandya too gave him a high five as Bishnoi then hugged him as Pandya was walking back to the pavilion after scoring 10 runs off 6 balls.

Watch the video here:

Baroda chased the target in 6.4 overs as openers Shaswat Rawat and Vikram Solanki scored a match-winning knock of 30 and 27 runs.

Also Read: Virat Kohli's Hundred In Ranchi Alone Made Ticket Sales Skyrocket As Fans Forget About Flight Delay: Report

In the first innings, the Baroda bowlers had put up a match-winning performance by skittling Gujarat out for just 73 runs. Raj Limbani picked up three wickets, whereas Pandya registered figures of 1/16, and other bowlers like Krunal (1/25), Rasikh Salam (1/13), and Atit Sheth (2/14) also made significant contributions.

It was a confidence-boosting performance for Pandya, who scored a brilliant knock of 77 runs against Punjab. The match against Gujarat was his last SMAT game, as now he will be joining the national team for the T20I series against South Africa, as he will be making a comeback from a long injury layoff.

Kerala shocks Mumbai

At the same time, fast bowler KM Asif maintained his sublime form as he took a five-for and helped win the match by 15 runs against Mumbai. It was Mumbai's first loss of this tournament as they are still the table toppers after scoring 16 points, whereas Kerala, who had scored 12 points, are lying in third position.

Also Read: Former India Cricketer Slams Ajit Agarkar For Ignoring Bumrah In ODI Series Against SA, Says, 'We Have To...'

Kerala had posted a target of 178 runs on the back of Sanju Samson's brilliant knock of 46 runs off 28 balls and a late surge from Vishnu Vinod (43* off 40) and Mohammed Azharuddeen (32), along with Sharafuddeen's brilliant knock of 35 runs off 15 balls.

Mumbai had a flying start to their chase as they were 99/3 on the back of Ajinkya Rahane (32 off 18) and Sarfaraz Khan (52 off 40), but then Asif rattled their batting lineup as he took the wickets of Suryakumar Yadav, Shardul Thakur, and two tail-enders and restricted them to 163 all out.

Also In News