Hardik Pandya celebrates 19-ball 50 vs Chandigarh during Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025/26

The premier all-rounder of world cricket in white-ball formats, Hardik Pandya, returned to domestic cricket after a long time and celebrated a cracking century against Vidarbha in Baroda’s fifth round of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025/26. Hardik missed the last game of the side before making his return to the final group stage clash against Chandigarh in the event.

At the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, the walked out to bat in the 21st over after the fall of brother Kunal, who returned for a well-made 20 runs in 23 balls with the help of two boundaries. Hardik is not going to play the upcoming ODI series at home against New Zealand as the selectors have given him time to fully recover ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.

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Just like his previous innings, Hardik continued the same aggression from the very first ball. He celebrated his 50 in just 19 balls after being dropped on one, and in the same over, he drilled three successive sixes against the bowler, showing the confidence level of the veteran.

Hardik Pandya celebrates 75 runs in 31 balls during VHT 2025/26 

Hardik was finally dismissed on 75 runs in 31 balls with the help of 9SIXES and two boundaries at a strike rate of 241.94, which provided a great platform to Baroda site who made their way to 268 for the loss of five wickets in 35 overs as their number three batter Priyanshu made his way to 78 in 83 deliveries thanks to his seven boundaries.

Apart from that, Vishnu Solanki, who also celebrated a fine century in the previous contest, knocked off 54 runs in just 49 balls with the help of eight boundaries at a strike rate of 110.20. It will be important for Baroda to continue the batting performance in the last 15 overs of the innings.

Meanwhile, Hardik will take a break for 10 days after this game before returning to the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which will be a perfect preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 as India look to defend their title, which they won in the previous edition.

Brief Scores: Baroda 307/5 in 37.4 overs (Priyanshu Moliya 79*, Hardik Pandya 75, Jagil Singh 2/39) vs Chandigarh