Hardik Pandya is finally making his anticipated appearance after eight years for Baroda in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy ( SMAT 2024/25) season.

This begins on November 23 before the IPL mega auction. He has not been included in the Baroda 17 squad, as dated. However, he is expected to land in Indore to meet the team ahead of their game with Gujarat.

Krunal Pandya-led Baroda, who lost to Punjab by 20 runs last season, emerged as the losing finalists of the tournament. Managing to get Hardik into the frame post eight years of hiatus is an added advantage.

With Krunal carrying on as the captain in SMAT 2024/25. The pace bowling all-rounder has been in good form. He helped India's cause to a 3-1 series win over South Africa with runs and wickets in his favor.

Hardik Pandya’s Current Form:

Image Source- Jagran Josh

Hardik was last seen playing BPL in the 2016 season. When he had played against Uttar Pradesh in the final for Baroda. He was not a player on the roster at this point but right after he made his T20I debut for India. That was the last time in SMAT and the last time he represented Baroda was in the year 2018 in the Ranji trophy.

For the past years, Hardik has had one difficulty or the other. Which is why he has not had the opportunity to play any domestic cricket. Mainly because of schedule clashes and injuries.

But the BCCI has instructed all players under contract to take part in all domestic events whenever there is a break. Therefore, Hardik's time in SMAT this time round for Baroda is in accordance with that rule.

Since Hardik Pandya was spotted training with the red ball, there had been conjecture about the all-rounder’s possible return in whites. Rumors, however, quickly subsided as Parthiv Patel revealed during a broadcasting stint that the all-rounder only used a red ball because the white ones were unavailable.

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