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Ravi Bishnoi and Hardik Pandya - (Source: AFP)
The 18th edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 is in full swing, and players are sweating hard on the ground. Eyes are on Hardik Pandya, who is featuring in the domestic league as he eyes his return to the Indian team. For the unversed, Pandya was out of action since the Asia Cup 2025, but will mark his return with the South Africa T20Is.
Ahead of the crucial series, the BCCI wanted Hardik Pandya to play SMAT to have some game time and prove match fitness. The 32-year-old got off to the perfect start and smashed an unbeaten 77 (42) to help Baroda win against Punjab.
Bishnoi's act for Hardik Pandya goes viral
In his 2nd match, Baroda locked horns against Gujarat, but Pandya failed to shine with the bat and scored only 10 (6) and fell prey to India teammate Ravi Bishnoi. The dismissal quickly went viral on the internet because the 32-year-old all-rounder celebrated his own wicket.
In the now viral clip, Pandya smashed the ball high in the air and slowly walked towards the non-strikers' end while keeping an eye on the ball and hoping that the fielder drops the chance. Meanwhile, Bishnoi, too, in wait of the catch, nearly collided with Pandya, but eventually, the chance was taken, and as soon as Bishnoi turned to celebrate, he saw Hardik just a few inches away from him.
The right-arm spinner quickly hugged the Baroda star, who also reciprocated the same gesture, which is now doing the rounds on the internet.
After five matches, Baroda sit third on the Group C table with three wins, while Gujarat also have three victories but are placed fourth. Meanwhile, Hardik will now leave the team to join the Indian team for the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa.
