Hardik Pandya will not feature in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, as the star all-rounder continues to recover from injuries. The Baroda selectors have announced their team for the tournament, and Hardik’s absence comes as no surprise since he hasn’t played since the IPL 2026, where he last turned out for Mumbai Indians in May. His brother, Krunal Pandya, will captain the side.
Pandya’s withdrawal from competitive cricket extends from an injury-stricken spell, starting post-IPL. Despite initially being selected for India A’s one-day squad against Australia A in October, Hardik was later removed due to a new shin injury. According to sources, he experienced discomfort while bowling.
His rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru has been extensive, addressing back spasms from the IPL, followed by a leg strain. His last international outing was the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand, before the IPL.
India, amidst an ODI series with New Zealand, will host Sri Lanka for T20Is in December. With the ODI World Cup set in Africa next year, India would ideally want Hardik back as a key short-format player. “Hardik, like Jasprit Bumrah, is incredibly important,” remarked head coach Gautam Gambhir, stressing that their return must be timely and without rush, to ensure full readiness for the World Cup.
The Baroda team also includes players like Jitesh Sharma, Deepak Hooda, and Rasikh Salam. Their tournament run begins on November 14 against Chandigarh in Mumbai.
