Hardik Pandya Syed Mushatq Ali Pti TrophyImage Credit Source: PTI
On the one hand, the Indian team will be on the field to play a Test match against Australia in Perth from November 22, while a day later, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya will also be seen in action. Hardik Pandya, who has been out of the Test team for a long time, will be seen showing his magic not in Australia but only in India. No, Team India will not play any ODI or T20 series, rather Hardik Pandya will return to playing domestic cricket after a gap of a few years. Hardik returns to his home team Baroda for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy starting November 23, where he will play under the captaincy of his elder brother Krunal Pandya.
Return to the team after 8 years
In a report by English newspaper Times of India, it was revealed that right-arm fast bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya is available for this T20 tournament and in such a situation, he naturally got a place in the team. Hardik’s return will provide immense strength to Baroda, who are off to a great start in the Ranji Trophy this season. Last season, the team failed to win the Mushtaq Ali Trophy and had to face defeat in the final. Hardik was then away from cricket action due to an injury. Hardik returns to this tournament after 8 years. He last participated in the Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2016.
In this important BCCI domestic cricket T20 tournament starting on November 23, Baroda has been placed in Group B along with Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Karnataka, Sikkim and two neighbours, Saurashtra and Gujarat. Baroda’s first match will be against Gujarat, which will be played at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. Hardik Pandya is expected to be available for the entire tournament, which will end with the final on December 15. During this period, Team India will not have to play any white-ball series or tournaments. In such a situation, this tournament will prove important to help Hardik stay fit and prepare for the upcoming challenges. After this, Hardik will return from the ODI and T20 series against England in January 2025.
Hardik had promised BCCI
Hardik’s play in this tournament is considered part of the BCCI order that the Indian Board issued for the national team players this year. Earlier this year, the board had removed Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from the central contract for not playing in the Ranji Trophy. At the same time, the BCCI had also spoken to Hardik Pandya and Hardik had reportedly assured the board officials that he will play limited overs tournaments like Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy in the upcoming domestic season, after which the board allowed He remained at grade A only in the central contract.
