- By Himanshu Badola
- Tue, 30 Dec 2025 03:47 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
India's senior all-rounder Hardik Pandya is all set to be in action as he has decided to feature for Baroda in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. He will be playing two matches in the league phase of the premier 50-over domestic tournament before being rested for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand.
Hardik was recently seen playing for India in the five-match T20I series against South Africa at home. He played a major role as India went on to win the series 2-1. He scored 142 runs in 4 matches at an average of 71 and took three wickets.
While Hardik has been creating major impact with both bat and ball over the years, he will now be looking to capitalise in domestic cricket. He will turn up for Baroda for their matches on June 3 and 8 against Vidarbha and Chandigarh, respectively. The 32-year-old will not be there for the clash against Jammu & Kashmir on January 6, as he needs an ample break to manage his load in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup.
"Hardik was wishing to turn out in ODIs against New Zealand, but the team think-tank advised him to rest from the series, as they want him in fine fettle for the subsequent T20I series and the all-important T20 World Cup," a source was quoted by IANS as saying on Tuesday.
Notably, Hardik will reportedly not get selected in the squad for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand as he will be resting before playing in the T20I series. Pandya last played an ODI for India in March, which was the 2025 Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in Dubai. Pandya has been dealing with injury issues lately as he returned to full all-around duties during the South Africa series at home in December after recovering from a quadriceps injury sustained in the Asia Cup Super Fours match against Sri Lanka in September.
The injury kept him out of the Asia Cup final against Pakistan and India's subsequent 2-1 T20I series win in Australia.