India’s leading all-rounder Hardik Pandya is finally ready to return to action in blue. Hardik Pandya has been named in India’s squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa after making a full recovery from the left quadriceps injury sustained during the 2025 Asia Cup.
Due to injury, Pandya missed the Asia Cup 2025 final and then the Australia tour. However, the star all-rounder is currently focusing on only T20I cricket to keep himself fresh and avoid injury risk ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.
Hardik Pandya returns to Indian team for South Africa T20I
He received clearance from the BCCI Center of Excellence and immediately returned to action for Baroda in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025. And now Hardik is all set to join the Indian team in Cuttack on December 6, the same day the entire team will assemble for the T20 series.
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The Indian all-rounder has already played two Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 matches for Baroda to test both his fitness and form before rejoining the Indian cricket team – the first game against Punjab on December 2 and the second game against Gujarat on December 4.
Initially, Pandya was scheduled to play the third Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 match against Haryana on December 6. However, this plan was changed at the last moment. Since the Indian team will assemble in Cuttack on the same day, Pandya will now join the team in his place.
Hardik Pandya will join Team India in Cuttack on 6th December
Some Indian players may reach Cuttack a day earlier on December 5 and Pandya is also expected to arrive on December 6, but final travel arrangements for the upcoming T20 series against South Africa have not been made yet, The Times of India reported.
Well, Pandya showed encouraging signs in both the matches for Baroda in India’s premier T20 tournament. His debut performance against Punjab was a mixed bag, as the senior all-rounder took just one wicket for 52 runs in four overs. But he impressed everyone with his explosive batting performance.
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The right-handed batsman scored 77 runs off just 42 balls with the help of four sky-high sixes and helped Baroda successfully chase the target of 223 runs against Punjab with five balls to spare. In his second SMAT 2025 game, Pandya looked sharp with the ball.
Hardik Pandya stars in Baroda’s big win over Gujarat in SMAT clash
The 32-year-old bowled a tough spell of 1/16 in his four overs against Gujarat. Chasing just 74 runs, Hardik Pandya did not get much batting time and scored 10 runs off six balls. Baroda won the match by eight wickets after the state associations changed the venue due to Pandya’s popularity.
Earlier, the match was scheduled to be held at the Gymkhana ground, but it was later shifted to the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Thursday due to huge crowd and security concerns after security breach by fans during Baroda’s clash with Punjab.
Well, these two matches gave Pandya exactly the preparation he needed before returning to international cricket. He is expected to play in the first T20 match against South Africa on 9 December.
