6, 6, 6! Hardik Pandya powers Baroda’s record SMAT chase in comeback match after two months | Cricket News
Hardik Pandya made a successful comeback to competitive cricket after two months on Wednesday, stealing the show in a massive 223-run chase for Baroda against white-ball powerhouses Punjab in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26 (SMAT) round 4 match in Hyderabad. Playing his first match back since India’s Asia Cup 2025 final over Pakistan in Dubai, Pandya’s bowling was marred by a belligerent show from the Punjab batters. The star all-rounder opened the attack for Baroda but ended up leaking 52 runs in four overs with the solitary scalp of Anmolpreet Singh. Led by captain Abhishek Sharma’s belligerent fifty, Punjab vaunted to a hefty 222 for eight in 20 overs. The 32-year-old Hardik then walked out for the chase in the eighth over at No. 4 with Baroda openers Vishnu Solanki and Shashwat Rawat already setting a stable platform. Hardik progressively unfurled his range of shots, and ensured that he had reserved the best for the last. ALSO READ | Vaibhav Suryavanshi continues record rampage, becomes first teenager to smash 3 T20 centuries with maiden …

