Hardik Pandya is all set to return to competitive cricket after being out of action since late September. He had sustained a left quadriceps injury during the 2025 Asia Cup. After going through a 42-day rehabilitation programme, the star all-rounder is set to make a comeback. He recently got the necessary clearance from BCCI's Centre of Excellence CoE.
Hardik will feature in Baroda's upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy fixture against Punjab on December 2. He will also play the subsequent match against Gujarat on December 4. However, whether he plays the third game against Haryana on December 6 will depend on how he holds up physically.
National selector Pragyan Ojha is expected to attend both games to assess Hardik's fitness. Indian fans will be hoping to see the Choryasi-born returning to peak form ahead of the five-match T20I series against South Africa, which gets underway on Tuesday, December 9. Incidentally, Hardik bowled the last over in the pulsating T20 World Cup 2024 final between India and South Africa at Bridgetown, Barbados.
