Baroda, November 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Hardik Pandya has been left out of Baroda’s 15-member squad for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, with his brother Krunal Pandya appointed captain for the domestic T20 tournament beginning November 14.
The squad includes several familiar names, including wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma, all-rounder Deepak Hooda and pacer Rasikh Salam. Atit Sheth has been named vice-captain.
Hardik’s absence comes amid his prolonged recovery from injuries following the 2026 Indian Premier League season. He last played an IPL match on May 24 and has since spent considerable time at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru while working on his fitness.
The all-rounder was named in India A’s squad for the one-day series against Australia A in October but was subsequently withdrawn following a fresh shin injury.
India captain Shubman Gill has indicated that Hardik will need to regain match fitness through domestic cricket before returning to the national side. Gill described him as a valuable all-rounder whose ability to contribute with both bat and ball offers India important options.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir has also underlined Hardik’s importance to India’s plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, saying the all-rounder needs sufficient game time to regain rhythm before the tournament.
Gambhir stressed that players cannot enter a major competition without adequate match practice, particularly given Hardik’s limited cricket since the IPL.
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final is scheduled for December 6. India are also set to face Sri Lanka in an ODI series beginning December 13, followed by T20Is from December 22. Hardik’s availability for the international assignments remains uncertain.
Baroda squad: Krunal Pandya (captain), Atit Sheth (vice-captain), Deepak Hooda, Shivalik Sharma, Shashwat Rawat, Amit Passi (wicketkeeper), Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Bhanu Pania, Mahesh Pithiya, Parikshit Patidar, Hemant Punde, Raj Limbani, Rasik Dar, Dhruv B. Patel and Safvan Patel.
Standby players: Priyanshu Moliya and Chintal Gandhi.
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