Star Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya will not play for his state team, Baroda, during the first round of the 50-over domestic competition known as the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT), which got underway on Saturday, December 21. Pandya would only join the side for the knockout stages if Baroda qualifies, the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) has made clear.
The significance of Indian players playing in domestic competitions, even when not on national duty, was previously underlined by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the national selectors.
The BCA’s Cricket Improvement Committee member Kiran More claims that Hardik Pandya has told the organisation that he plans to join the team later in the competition.
“He will play from the knockouts; he has informed us,” Kiran replied.
Although the 31-year-old has been an important part of the Indian team, he hasn’t participated in a 50-over match since the ODI World Cup match against Bangladesh on October 19, 2023. He was out for a long time due to an ankle injury he suffered in the match, and he has since only played T20 forms. In the just finished Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), he helped Baroda advance to the semifinals by scoring 246 runs and taking six wickets.
In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Baroda finished in Group E.
Given the approaching ICC Champions Trophy next year, Pandya’s return to the 50-over format via the VHT may be essential. As a potential pace-bowling option, Nitish Reddy is being considered by the Indian team’s selectors as a replacement for the all-rounder position.
Many critics have expressed their thoughts regarding Hardik’s absence, arguing that it could make it more difficult for Baroda to advance, particularly considering the team’s difficult group stage schedule. Baroda, under the leadership of Hardik’s older brother Krunal Pandya, will play in Group E against teams from Madhya Pradesh, Bengal, and Kerala. Young players like Shashwat Rawat and Vishnu Solanki, as well as seasoned players like Krunal, are part of Baroda’s team for the VHT.
Baroda squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy:
Shashwat Rawat, Bhanu Pania, Parth Kohli, Jyotsnil Singh, Ninad Ashvinkumar Rathva, Shivalik Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Mahesh Pithiya, Raj Limbani, Atit Sheth, Vishnu Solanki, Babashafi Pathan, Lukman Meriwala, Bhargav Bhatt, Akash Maharaj Singh, Amit Passi, Lakshit Toksiya
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