Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya will not play for Baroda in the group stage matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which began on Saturday, December 21, at various venues. However, Hardik Pandya is expected to join Baroda for the knockout stages of the 50-over domestic tournament.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the national selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, have emphasized that all players should play in domestic tournaments. Hardik recently played for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), where he scored 246 runs and took six wickets.
Hardik Pandya will be available for Baroda for the knockout matches
Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) has confirmed that Hardik Pandya will join the team for the knockout stages of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Kiran More stated that Pandya informed them of his participation in the knockout.
“He will play from the play-offs, we have been informed,” Cricbuzz quoted Kieran More, a member of the BCA's Cricket Improvement Committee (CIC), as saying.
Hardik Pandya's last 50 ODI World Cup 2023
Pandya has not played in any ODI matches in the last 14 months. He last played in an ODI during the 2023 World Cup against Bangladesh on 19 October. The all-rounder suffered an ankle injury in that match and stayed away from competitive cricket. He played a crucial role in India's victory in the T20 World Cup 2024.
The Baroda pacer will get match training ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025. Andhra all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is also a contender for the bowling all-rounder position in the Indian team. Nitish has impressed with his all-round performance in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 tournament.
Hopefully the team will make it to the knockout at VHT – Kieran Moore
Kiran More said that Hardik Pandya played in all the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches. He pointed out that Baroda reached the semi-finals but lost due to wet conditions in Bengaluru. More expressed hope that the team will reach the knockout stages of the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well.
“He has participated in all the SMAT matches, and will play in more than 50 matches as well. Baroda performed well in the SMAT, reaching the semi-finals which they lost due to wet conditions in Bengaluru. We are hopeful that the team will reach the “The playoffs are at VHT as well.”
Since his injury, Hardik has played 38 T20 matches across international, IPL and domestic competitions, but has not featured in other formats. This has led to speculation that he is focusing only on T20 cricket. His presence will strengthen the team if it qualifies for the knockout rounds of the tournament.
Baroda, captained by Hardik Pandya's brother Krunal, is competing in Group E of the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Hyderabad, along with teams like Tripura, Kerala, Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi. The knockout rounds are scheduled to be held in Baroda starting January 9, with the final being held on January 18.
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