Hardik Pandya Stars With Bat As Baroda Secures 7-Wicket Win Over Punjab In SMAT Match

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025: Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya proved his match fitness with a solid performance with the bat during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match against Punjab on Tuesday, December 2. The 32-year-old was promoted to the number 4 position as he guided the Krunal Pandya-led team during the chase of 223 runs at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. He smashed 7 fours and 4 sixes in his 42-ball 77 run knock, helping Baroda reach the target in 19.1 overs, losing just three wickets.

Hardik stayed till the end along with Shivalik Sharma, who scored 38 runs off 25 balls. Hardik also added 30 runs from just 11 balls for the fourth wicket alongside Jitesh Sharma, who remained 6 not out from 4 balls.

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The BCCI selectors have not yet announced India’s squad for these matches at home, but Hardik is expected to be included.

Pandya suffered an injury during India’s Asia Cup Super Fours match against Sri Lanka and has been sidelined since. He missed the ODI and T20I series against Australia and was not available for selection for the ongoing 50-over series against South Africa.

Fortunately, the all-rounder has received RTP (Return to Play) clearance and has left the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

“After a long gap from cricket, Hardik is going to appear for Baroda and will play the next few Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches for us,” a BCA official told IANS.

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Baroda lost their initial SMAT matches against Bengal by six wickets and against Puducherry by 17 runs, but returned to winning ways recently with a victory against Himachal Pradesh.

The five-game T20I series against the Proteas kicks off on December 9, with the BCCI likely to announce the squads anytime this week.

Inputs from Agency