Hardik Pandya’s Unbeaten 77 Powers Baroda to Seven-Wicket Victory Over Punjab in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Hardik’s strong comeback innings secures an important win for Baroda.
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya made a successful return to competitive cricket after a two-month injury lay-off, blasting an unbeaten 77 off just 42 balls to guide Baroda to a seven-wicket victory over Punjab in a high-scoring Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Group C match on Tuesday. Chasing a daunting 223, Baroda reached 224 for three with five balls to spare, largely due to Pandya’s powerful knock that included seven fours and four sixes.
Punjab had posted an imposing 222 for eight, powered by Abhishek Sharma’s 19-ball 50 and Anmolpreet Singh’s 32-ball 69. The opening pair added quick runs, putting Baroda under early pressure. Young India U-19 pacer Raj Limbani was the pick of the bowlers for Baroda, claiming three for 36, while Pandya himself bowled four overs and picked up the wicket of Anmolpreet.
In the chase, Shivalik Sharma provided a solid start with 47 off 31 balls before retiring hurt, followed by quick contributions from Shashwat Rawat (31 off 18) and Vishnu Solanki (41 off 21). Pandya, coming in at No. 4, took control in the latter stages and finished the game in style by hitting two sixes each off Ashwani Kumar and Gurnoor Brar in the penultimate over.
This was Pandya’s first match since the Asia Cup Super Four game against Sri Lanka on September 26. He had been sidelined with a left quadriceps injury and underwent rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. His all-round performance — 77* and 1/52 — will boost his chances of selection for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa.
With this win, Baroda collected four points and moved to third position in Group C with eight points, though they remain behind Gujarat (12 points) and Punjab (eight points but superior net run rate). In another Group C fixture, Gujarat crushed Pondicherry by nine wickets after bundling them out for 83, with Ravi Bishnoi and Arzan Nagwaswalla starring with the ball.
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