On return from injury, Hardik Pandya helped Baroda pull off a record chase in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on Tuesday (December 2).
Hardik’s fifty powers Baroda to their highest-ever T20 chase
Bowling first at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, Baroda conceded 222-8 against Punjab. Abhishek Sharma (50 off 19) and Anmolpreet Singh (69 off 32) led the fireworks for Punjab. Hardik had a forgettable outing with the ball, leaking runs at 13 per over – the most among his teammates – while managing just one wicket.
However, during the run chase, Hardik redeemed himself with a blistering half-century. He walked in at No.4 with the score at 92-2 in 7.2 overs, after a 32-ball 66 stand between Vishnu Solanki and Shashwat Rawat provided the launchpad. Hardik set the stage ablaze with 77 not out off 42 balls, hitting seven fours and four sixes. He stitched together a 101-run stand off 60 balls with Shivalik Sharma, who retired hurt for 47 off 31. Baroda aced the chase with seven wickets and five balls to spare.
Match 63, Baroda vs Punjab
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In the process, Baroda pulled off their biggest-ever chase in T20s, surpassing their 222-7 effort against Tamil Nadu in 2024. On that occasion, Hardik too shone with a 30-ball 69.
Also read: Out-of-favour India keeper smashes 50-ball 113 in domestic T20 chase
Hardik hit his seventh 50-plus score for Baroda in 34 T20s, with his highest – 86 not out off 46 balls – coming against Vidarbha in 2016 in the same tournament. This was also his first match since suffering a left-quadriceps injury in a Super Four fixture against Sri Lanka at the Asia Cup in September. The injury ruled him out of the knockout stage in India’s title-winning campaign, the subsequent tour of Australia, and the ongoing ODI series against South Africa.
With the T20 World Cup just three months away, the upcoming five-match series against South Africa, starting December 9, is expected to mark Hardik’s return to international cricket.
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