Hardik Pandya's Thrilling Comeback in SMAT 2025

Hardik Pandya's return to competitive cricket has created a buzz among fans and cricket enthusiasts alike. After a two-month hiatus due to a left quadricep injury sustained during the Asia Cup 2026, he made his comeback for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. This highly anticipated match took place in Hyderabad, where he was included in the playing XI against Punjab.

Fans gathered in large numbers to witness the star all-rounder in action. His return was not without drama; during the match, a fan broke onto the field and rushed towards Hardik, managing to snap a selfie before security intervened. This incident highlighted the immense popularity Hardik enjoys among cricket lovers.

Baroda faced challenges early in the tournament, losing their first two matches against Bengal and Puducherry. However, they managed to recover with a win against Himachal Pradesh. Hardik, who last represented India on September 26 during the Asia Cup against Sri Lanka, aimed to demonstrate his match fitness ahead of the T20I series against South Africa.

In his comeback game, Hardik opened the bowling for Baroda, but it was a tough outing for him. He conceded 52 runs in four overs while taking the wicket of Anmolpreet Singh, who scored 69. Despite his struggles, Hardik's presence on the field was a significant morale booster for the team and fans alike.

Meanwhile, Punjab's Abhishek Sharma stole the limelight with his explosive batting. He had recently made headlines by scoring 148 runs off just 52 balls against Bengal and continued his form by smashing 50 runs off 19 balls against Baroda. His performance underscored the competitive nature of the tournament.

Looking ahead, Hardik is expected to participate in the match against Gujarat on December 4, where national selector Pragyan Ojha will be present to assess his fitness. As Hardik continues his journey back to form, fans eagerly await his contributions, both for Baroda and the Indian national team.