Indian cricket team’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is poised to feature in the much-awaited Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT)-India’s premier domestic T20 competition. Scheduled to start on November 23, the tournament will witness the presence of Pandya while he will be part of the 18-member squad of Baroda, to which he has been named.
Hardik’s inclusion in this tournament follows on the heels of a series of successful outings for India, and his participation in SMAT will afford him an opportunity to return to domestic cricket while keeping match fitness ahead of future international commitments.
Hardik Pandya’s declaration of playing for Baroda this year
Pandya announced the news by posting through his official social media channel in a post where he described how excited he is to be part of the Baroda team for the upcoming big tournament. He will be playing alongside his brother Krunal Pandya who is the captain of the Baroda team. The team will play Gujarat in their first match, scheduled to take place on the opening day of the tournament, November 23, at Holkar Stadium, Indore.
In an official statement, the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) welcomed Hardik Pandya’s return to the state team. The BCA was over the moon with this and officially announced Hardik Pandya through a press release that cited, “The Indian international star Hardik Pandya will join his brother and captain Krunal Pandya for Baroda.
On behalf of the BCA President and the members of the apex committee, we heartily welcome your (Hardik Pandya) return to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.” This would surely be the first time for Baroda to have two biggish all-rounders in the same squad.
The inclusion of Hardik Pandya in the SMAT is not only due to his international experience but also because he has just been declared to be the number-one all-rounder in T20I cricket. He holds 244 rating points as of now, climbing to the top of the ICC T20I all-rounder rankings.
Read More
This will be a major opportunity for Pandya, who has become a treasure for India in the limited-overs format: he is capable both with the bat and ball. His performances in SMAT will be closely watched as it will offer a glimpse into his form and fitness after going through national duties.
Plus, Hardik Pandya’s IPL future is now also confirmed as Mumbai Indians (MI) retained him for the 2025 season, and he will continue to be one of the frontline players for the franchise. His form in the domestic circuit may be very important for his coming season preparations for IPL as he has been a match-winner for MI in many seasons.
Baroda Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy squad:
Krunal Pandya (captain)
Vishnu Solanki (vice-captain)
Hardik Pandya
Jyotsnil Singh
Shashwat Singh
Shivalik Sharma
Bhanu Pania
Mitesh Patel (wicketkeeper)
Bhargav Bhatt
Mahesh Pithiya
Raj Limbani
Soyad Sopariya
Lukman Meriwala
Akash Singh
Atit Seth
Abhimanyu Singh Rajput
Ninad Rathwa
Chintal Gandhi
With Hardik Pandya leading by example and bringing his vast experience to the team, Baroda will be looking to make a strong impact in the tournament. Fans and pundits alike will be eager to see how he goes in this domestic setup, especially after an international stint. The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy could also be a good opportunity for Pandya to showcase his skills, not to forget to help sharpen his game before more international and IPL commitments come along.
ALSO READ: BGT: Unwanted Records Registered For IND Batsmen In 1st Test
