Team India’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s return from injury grabbed major attention during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match between Baroda and Punjab in Hyderabad on Tuesday, December 2. A fan breached the security at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium and ran onto the field to meet the all-rounder.
Notably, this is his first match after being injured during the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 game against Sri Lanka. His presence in domestic cricket is very important for Team India before the five-match T20 series against South Africa starting from December 9. Pandya worked hard to achieve full match rhythm.
WATCH: A fan breaches security to meet Hardik Pandya at SMAT
Hardik Pandya was opening the bowling for Baroda under the captaincy of his brother Krunal Pandya, when an unexpected moment came. When Hardik started his spell, Punjab openers Abhishek Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh were at the crease.
In the middle of the over, a fan suddenly ran on the field. He approached Hardik, touched his feet and even took a quick selfie before security intervened. As soon as the fan was removed, Hardik made some gestures towards the security staff.
Watch the video posted by a user on X (formerly known as Twitter) below:
Hardik Pandya’s craze in Hyderabad.
During SMAT, a fan entered the field and touched Hardik’s feet. pic.twitter.com/6ikrVdlPLo
– Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) 2 December 2025
Things became more chaotic during the second innings as more fans breached security to meet Pandya.
Play stopped several times in Hyderabad as fans ran onto the field to meet Hardik Pandya!#SyedMushtaqAliTrophy #barodawspunjab pic.twitter.com/klHmekLhHz
– Mohsin Kamal (@64MohsinKamal) 2 December 2025
Pitch invasions have become very common in India. During the first ODI match against South Africa in Ranchi, once again such an incident happened when a fan breached the security. When Virat Kohli was celebrating his 52nd ODI century, a fan ran on the field and touched his feet.
Hardik Pandya made an unforgettable comeback with the ball in competitive cricket
Hardik Pandya returns to action after missing Baroda’s first three SMAT 2025 games. He opened the bowling for Krunal Pandya, but the match did not go as he expected.
Pandya struggled with the ball and ended his tenure as his team’s most expensive bowler. Hardik conceded 52 runs in his four overs and Punjab’s scoring rate became difficult to control.
Punjab captain Abhishek Sharma attacked him in the beginning and scored 50 runs in just 19 balls. Anmolpreet Singh also followed him and scored 69 runs in 32 balls. Hardik definitely got a moment’s relief when he broke the dangerous partnership of the third wicket by dismissing Anmolpreet in his last over.
Baroda defeated Punjab with Hardik Pandya’s brilliant half-century.
In the run chase, Pandya played an important role with the bat by scoring a brilliant half-century. The right-handed batsman guided the team in chasing the mammoth target of 223 runs.
Baroda completed the third highest successful chase in SMAT history. Hardik finished the game brilliantly by hitting three sixes in a row and won by seven wickets with five balls remaining.
He scored unbeaten 77 runs in 42 balls with the help of seven fours and four sixes. According to PTI, Hardik can also play in Baroda’s next match against Gujarat on December 4. It is expected that selector Pragyan Ojha will check his fitness before the national team is selected.
Also read: No cracks! Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma-Gautam Gambhir united, BCCI confirmed, no need for any crisis meeting
