Pandya all set to return (Image Credit:- X)

Hardik Pandya is set to return to competitive cricket in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) for Baroda. SMAT is India’s premier inter-state domestic T20 tournament. He last featured for India in the Asia Cup playing the Super Four match against Srilanka on September 26.

He has been sidelined because of a left quadriceps injury. The allrounder completed a 42 day rehab program and received clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE).

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National selector Pragyan Ojha is expected to watch two games against Punjab and Gujarat to assess his fitness. The match against Punjab was on December 2 and the one against Gujarat was on December 4.

His participation in the match against Haryana will depend on his fitness.

Baroda began their campaign with defeats, losing to Bengal by six wickets and to Puducherry by 17 runs. Then they beat Himachal Pradesh by five wickets in their third game.

Selectors are expected to announce India’s squad soon for the five match T20I series against South Africa. Hardik fitness is crucial, as it provides India with stability in both bat and ball.

Played 120 matches for India, Hardik has scored 1860 runs at an average of 27.35, with a highest score of 71*. He has also taken 98 wickets, with best bowling figures of 4 for 16.