Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is all set to get into action for Baroda in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25, marking his return to the domestic T20 tournament after nearly eight years. This move is on the eve of IPL Auction 2025.
Although Hardik was retained by Mumbai Indians to lead their side in IPL 2025, he was not the No. 1 catch. Instead, Jasprit Bumrah became the 1st retention of Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025. Hardik would like to prove once again that there is no better all-rounder in Indian cricket right now than him.
Pandya’s last appearance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was in January 2016, when he was yet to make his international debut. The Baroda team enters the tournament in fine form by topping Group A in the first round of the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25 with 27 points.
Hardik Pandya is ready for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25 for Baroda
Baroda, who are in Group B, will be up against strong teams like Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Saurashtra, Karnataka and Sikkim in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25 starting on November 23.
Hardik Pandya’s return significantly boosts Baroda’s chances of winning the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25 title. He will play under the captaincy of his elder brother Krunal Pandya in the domestic T20 tournament for Baroda. Hardik was recently part of India’s T20I series against South Africa and is now expected to play a crucial role in Baroda’s campaign.
“Normally, the association names 18-man squads, but this time only 17 members were initially named and now Hardik Pandya has also been included in the squad,” Sportstar quoted a source as saying.
Krunal Pandya, who once again won the honor of leading Baroda for another season, has been instrumental in the team’s recent success. Under his captaincy, Baroda reached the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final last year, but fell short against Punjab.
Krunal Pandya is both the Baroda captain and the all-rounder
Krunal Pandya’s performances have been nothing short of remarkable this domestic season. With 367 runs in seven innings in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25, including a century and three half-centuries, and earlier with a remarkable century in the final of the KSCA tournament, the Indian all-rounder proved his mettle as both a leader and a leader. player.
He would like to continue his hot form in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25, this time featuring many international stars. In the previous edition of the premier T20 tournament, Krunal Pandya was Baroda’s leading run-scorer with 323 runs including fifties.
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Krunal Pandya’s contributions with the ball were equally valuable, taking 7 wickets at a commendable 6.03 in the last edition. Krunal Pandya’s consistency and leadership will be crucial in their SMAT campaign as Baroda set their sights on improving on last year’s runner-up finish.
Baroda are riding high in the SMAT after missing out on the title last season
Now, Hardik Pandya’s return to the domestic stage under the captaincy of his elder brother is exciting Baroda’s campaign in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25. Both the in-form Pandya brothers will look to lead from the front as Baroda aim to rewrite history this time and win the coveted title.
