Hardik Pandya Gets BCCI Clearance, Likely to Play for Baroda on December 2

The world champion Team India is continuing its dominance in the shortest format of cricket. Nine consecutive series have been won by the Men in Blue in T20s. Team India's last defeat came in 2023 when they lost 3-2 to the West Indies. Since then, Team India won the Asian Games gold medal, became the champion of the T20 World Cup 2024, and also won the Asia Cup title. Given their recent form, defeating Team India is a dream for every team. A veteran all-rounder is set to return to Team India. According to reports, Hardik Pandya has been granted clearance by the BCCI and is now ready to play.

Hardik Pandya has been out for a long time due to injury, but will now play for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Hardik was injured during the Super Four match of the Asia Cup against Sri Lanka. He has not returned to the field since then. He missed the white-ball series against Australia and was also sidelined from the ongoing ODI series against South Africa. However, he is now ready to return to the field for the T20 series.

The all-rounder has received his return-to-play clearance and is currently at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence. Hardik has played 11 Tests, 94 ODIs, and 120 T20Is for India. Under Krunal Pandya's captaincy, Baroda will face Punjab on December 2nd at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Pandya is expected to play in this match. Baroda's next match is against Gujarat, which will be played on December 4th.

Hardik Pandya was included in the Baroda squad during team selection, although there was some uncertainty about his participation in the initial matches. Now, Hardik will be aiming to secure a place in the Indian team selected for the South Africa series by performing well in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Baroda has played three matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy so far and has won only one.