Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is all set to be seen in action in the Baroda jersey in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25, marking his return to the domestic T20 tournament after almost eight years. This move comes on the verge of the IPL 2025 auction.
Although Mumbai Indians have roped in Hardik to lead their team in IPL 2025, he was not the first to be retained. Instead, Jasprit Bumrah became Mumbai Indians’ first retention for IPL 2025. Hardik would like to prove once again that there is no better limited overs all-rounder in Indian cricket than him currently.
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 comes into the tournament in good form, having topped Group A in the first phase of the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25 with an impressive 27 points.
Hardik Pandya ready for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25 action for Baroda
Baroda, placed in Group B, will compete against strong teams like Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Saurashtra, Karnataka and Sikkim in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25, which will begin on November 23.
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Hardik Pandya’s return is a significant boost to Baroda’s chances of clinching 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 in Baroda. Hardik was recently part of India’s T20I series against South Africa and is now expected to play a crucial role in the Baroda campaign.
A source was quoted by Sportstar: “Usually the association names 18-member teams, but this time, initially only 17 members were named, and now, Hardik Pandya has also been added to the team.”
Krunal Pandya, who once again has the honor of leading Baroda for another season, has been instrumental in the team’s recent successes. Under his captaincy, Baroda reached the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last year but fell short against Punjab.
Krunal Pandya in impressive form as Baroda captain and all-rounder
Krunal Pandya’s performances have been remarkable in this domestic season. With 367 runs in seven innings during the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25, including a century and three half-centuries, and a notable century in the final of the previous KSCA tournament, the Indian all-rounder has proven his worth as a leader and a player.
He would love to continue his excellent form in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25, which will feature many international stars this time. In the previous edition of the premier T20 tournament, Krunal Pandya was Baroda’s leading run-scorer with 323 runs, including a fifty.
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Krunal Pandya’s contributions with the ball were equally valuable, picking up seven wickets at a commendable economy rate of 6.03 in the last edition. As Baroda aims to improve on last year’s second-place finish, Krunal Pandya’s consistency and leadership will be crucial in its SMAT campaign.
Baroda aim for SMAT glory after missing out on the title last season
And now Hardik Pandya’s return to the national stage under his elder brother’s captaincy excites Baroda’s campaign in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25. The Pandya brothers, both in stellar form, will look to lead from the front as Baroda aim to rewrite history and win the coveted title this time.