Hardik Pandya's comeback date revealed!! Star all-rounder to return to international cricket in this process
The premier Indian all-rounder of the white-ball formats, Hardik Pandya, is expected to return for the national side through this event ahead of the three-match ODI series against South Africa, starting on November 30.
India’s premier all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, is set to return to competitive cricket as he will feature for the Baroda side in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025. He is getting close to his full fitness at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, and if everything remains on track, he could play the first or second game of the T20 domestic event.
The domestic competition begins on November 26 as Baroda will play all of its games in Hyderabad. It has been further noted that there would be no break for Pandya as he would straightaway fly to Hyderabad after getting a ‘return to play’ certificate from the CoE. India’s three-match ODI series against the Proteas would begin on November 30, and Pandya could play one game before donning the Indian jersey.
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The 32-year-old experienced player had been putting in a lot of grind in Bengaluru for the last few weeks and is very close to his fitness after injuring the left quadricep during the Asia Cup 2025 fixture against Sri Lanka, which forced him to be ruled out of the final against Pakistan.
Hardik Pandya to feature for Baroda in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025
Hardik Pandya, apart from the final, was also absent from the three-match ODI series and three-match T20I series against Australia down under. However, he is back on track and would be up against the Rainbow Nation, which begins on November 30 in Ranchi before moving to Raipur and Visakhapatnam on December 03 and 06, respectively.
Pandya has overall smashed 1904 runs in 68 innings of the 50-over format at an average of 32.82 and a strike rate of 110.89 with the help of 11 half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 92 runs. In the shortest format, he clubbed 1860 runs in 94 innings at a strike rate of 141.01.
Pandya will be a vital member for India in the home T20 World Cup 2026 next year. His presence in the eleven will bring an incredible balance to the side as he could bat in the middle order and provide at least three overs with the bat in any duration of the innings.
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