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Hardik Pandya powers Baroda to historic win in SMAT 2025 on comeback after injury

Anurag Dasgupta

Hardik wins Baroda a crucial game on his comeback [Source: @rohangangta/x.com] Hardik wins Baroda a crucial game on his comeback [Source: @rohangangta/x.com]

Ahead of the T20 World Cup next year, Team India has received a massive boost with the comeback of their star all-rounder, Hardik Pandya. The batter suffered a quadricep injury during the Asia Cup 2025 and was ruled out of the Australian tour and the ODIs vs South Africa. However, on Tuesday, the all-rounder made his long-awaited return in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT).

He made his return for Baroda against Punjab in a high-scoring game, and while he struggled with the ball, the all-rounder redeemed himself with the bat.

Hardik's struggles with ball in hand

Baroda bowled first, and on a flat Hyderabad wicket, Punjab opener Abhishek Sharma showed his class and smacked a quick-fire fifty. All eyes were on Hardik as he came to bowl, but the pacer looked rusty as he lacked the cutting-edge and conceded 52 runs in four overs, with an economy of 13. However, he managed to dismiss a well-set Anmolpreet Singh for 69 off 32 balls.

The all-rounder showed signs of rustiness and this was but obvious as he was making his comeback after a lengthy period.

Hardik redeems himself with the bat as Baroda clinch victory

Baroda conceded 222 runs as Hardik’s team had a mountain to climb. Chasing the target, the team was lagging behind before Hardik showed his batting power. The Indian all-rounder was at his imperial best as he smacked an unbeaten 77 off 42 balls, and the innings was laced with 7 fours and 4 sixes. He finished with a strike rate of 183.33 as the target was achieved in the last over.

Why this knock was important for Team India

With Hardik ruled out in recent matches due to injury, Team India lacked a quality all-rounder. Nitish Kumar Reddy, touted to be Hardik’s successor, has been injury-prone, and hence, with Hardik coming back, the Men in Blue will get their best all-rounder back.

His skillset with the bat and ball is unmatchable, and Hardik's return for the T20I will give a massive boost to India. As a result, his latest comeback knock will come in as a sigh of relief.