Hardik Pandya to Join Baroda’s Vijay Hazare Knockouts After Initial Absence
Hardik Pandya will not feature in Baroda's squad for the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) but is set to join the team for the knockout stages. The Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) confirmed that the all-rounder will only participate once the tournament reaches its elimination rounds.
"He will play from the knockouts; he has informed us," said Kiran More, a member of the BCA's Cricket Improvement Committee (CIC).
While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the national selection committee have stressed the importance of domestic competition participation, Pandya's absence from the group stage doesn’t diminish his commitment. He recently played a key role in Baroda's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) campaign, which saw the team reach the semifinals. Pandya’s performances in SMAT—scoring 246 runs and claiming six wickets in seven matches—were impressive.
The 31-year-old has not played in a non-T20 match for over a year, his last ODI appearance being in the 2023 World Cup against Bangladesh. After suffering an ankle injury during that match, Pandya has shifted his focus primarily to T20 formats, making 38 appearances across various T20 competitions since. His return to the 50-over format in the Vijay Hazare Trophy could be crucial in his bid to feature in next year’s Champions Trophy, with emerging talent like Nitish Reddy posing stiff competition.
Pandya’s involvement in the VHT hinges on Baroda qualifying for the knockout stages, with More remaining optimistic. "He participated in all the SMAT matches, and he will play in the 50-over games too. Baroda performed well in the SMAT, reaching the semifinals, and hopefully, they’ll make it to the knockouts of the VHT as well," said the former India chief selector.
Baroda, led by Hardik's brother Krunal Pandya, is currently competing in Group E in Hyderabad, facing teams like Tripura, Kerala, Bengal, and others. The knockout rounds of the VHT are scheduled to begin on January 9, with the final set for January 18.
