SMAT 2025: Hardik Pandya set to play for Baroda

Hardik Pandya is all set to return to competitive cricket after being out of action since late September. He had sustained a left quadriceps injury during the 2025 Asia Cup. After going through a 42-day rehabilitation programme, the star all-rounder is set to make a comeback. He recently got the necessary clearance from BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE).

Hardik will feature in Baroda's upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy fixture against Punjab on December 2. He will also play the subsequent match against Gujarat

on December 4. However, whether he plays the third game against Haryana on December 6 will depend on how he holds up physically.

National selector Pragyan Ojha is expected to attend both games to assess Hardik's fitness. Indian fans will be hoping to see the Choryasi-born returning to peak form ahead of the five-match T20I series against South Africa, which gets underway on Tuesday, December 9. Incidentally, Hardik bowled the last over in the pulsating T20 World Cup 2024 final between India and South Africa at Bridgetown, Barbados.

Hardik has played 120 T20Is for the Men in Blue, scoring 1860 runs at an average of 27.35 and a strike rate of 141.02. He is also India's third-highest wicket-taker in the shortest format, having bagged 98 wickets in 108 innings at an average of 26.58 and an economy rate of 8.22.

The initial expectation was that Hardik would be directly drafted into India's ODI side, which is facing South Africa in a three-match series. However, after reviewing his progress, the medical team suggested that he gradually get reaccustomed to the rigours of the sport. Therefore, returning to domestic cricket and playing T20 matches seemed to be the best-suited route back to the Indian team for the 32-year-old.

Meanwhile, Baroda secured its first win of the campaign on Sunday, November 30. They defeated Himachal Pradesh by five wickets, chasing down a 143-run target in 17.1 overs. This was a much-needed win for the Krunal Pandya-led side, which had suffered consecutive defeats to Bengal and Puducherry at the beginning of their campaign.

Now, Hardik's return will add more strength to a team which also comprises the current Indian wicketkeeper in the T20 squad, Jitesh Sharma.