Hardik Pandya set to feature for Baroda in Vijay Hazare Trophy: Report

Hardik Pandya will be available for the upcoming matches for Baroda in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, according to Cricbuzz. He is all set to play the next round against Bengal on December 28 (Saturday) in Hyderabad.

Baroda have won both their games in the competition - against Tripura and Kerala - so far. 

"He had some personal issues, and that is why he was not available for the first few games. He has reached Hyderabad, and he will play tomorrow," Ajit Lele, Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) secretary, told Cricbuzz.

The original plan was to have Pandya play from the knockout stages of the tournament, which will be played from January 9 in Baroda. Pandya's previous 38 games have been in T20s, and if he appears against Bengal, it will be the all-rounder's first non-T20 game in 14 months. 

He has had some discussions with coach Mukund Parmar and will be playing from now," Lele said.

Pandya's participation in the tournament comes against the backdrop of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will be played in February-March next year. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament, Pandya played six matches, scoring 246 runs and taking six wickets as Baroda crashed out in the semi-final stage.