Hardik Pandya's comeback delayed again as all-rounder misses Baroda's SMAT squad
Follow
Hardik Pandya has encountered another delay in his journey back to professional cricket after failing to secure a spot in Baroda's fifteen-player roster for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The prominent all-rounder continues to undergo rehabilitation following a sequence of physical issues that have sidelined him since the termination of the Indian Premier League earlier this year.
His sibling Krunal Pandya has been designated to lead the squad, which additionally includes veterans such as Deepak Hooda and Jitesh Sharma.
The thirty-two-year-old athlete previously attempted a recovery path with an inclusion in the India A squad for an October series against Australia A, but a fresh shin concern forced his withdrawal. National team leaders including captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir have emphasized the immense tactical value of his multi-format skill set, noting that proper match readiness will be prioritized before he rejoins international fixtures ahead of the upcoming one-day global tournament.
