A lot of domestic Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy games are being played at different venues in India. For obvious reasons, the Baroda vs Punjab match is the main focus of the several games taking place at the same time. Veteran cricketer Hardik Pandya will be bowling in the Round 3 match on December 2, marking his return to competitive cricket following an injury layoff.
However, Punjab would be represented by Abhishek Sharma, India's new T20 pin-up boy. Unfortunately, there is no live streaming for the game and that has irritated fans, who are lambasting the Board of Control of Cricket in India. The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad is the venue for the match.
Pandya’s return from injury ensured all eyes were on him, with interest centred on whether he had fully recovered. Despite the limited coverage, the match still drew a strong turnout from spectators.
Pandya is also slated to play the December 4 game between Baroda and Gujarat with national selector Pragyan Ojha in attendance for both the games to verify his general fitness before the selection is announced.
Eyes will be on Pandya to see how fit he is since he would be a very crucial part in India's T20 scheme of things come the 2026 World Cup. Multiple sources say that the Indian board is aiming to phase out his comeback and not directly put him in the thick of things of international cricket.
He is anticipated to feature in three SMAT games and depending on how his body is functioning - a decision on his availability for the T20I series against South Africa would be taken.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
