SMAT 2025-26: Hardik Pandya stars on injury comeback, helps Baroda beat Punjab
India international Hardik Pandya scored a match-winning half-century to help Baroda beat Punjab during a group-stage match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in Hyderabad on Tuesday.
Returning from an injury layoff, the all-rounder helped his side reach the target of 223, registering the third-highest successful chase in SMAT history.
He hammered three consecutive sixes to seal Baroda’s seven-wicket victory with five balls to spare. Pandya remained unbeaten on 77 off 42, which included seven fours and dour sixes.
The 32-year-old also picked up a wicket in his expensive four-wicket spell.
This was his first match since India’s Super Fours match against Sri Lanka at the 2025 Asia Cup in September. He was forced to sit out the final against Pakistan due to an injury, which also saw him miss the Australia tour.
Published on Dec 02, 2025
