'Hardik Pandya' boost for India ahead of T20Is vs South Africa as star all-rounder set to feature in SMAT 2025 after 42-day rehab

India's star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is reportedly set to make his return to competitive cricket following over a month of intense rehabilitation. According to a report in The Times of India, Pandya will play three games in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) for Baroda, aiming to achieve match fitness in time for the T20I series against South Africa, which begins on December 9.

Hardik Pandya to participate in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

Pandya is scheduled to leave the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Saturday, November 29, after successfully receiving his Return to Play clearance. He will immediately join his brother Krunal Pandya's Baroda squad for the SMAT matches in Hyderabad, where he is slated to feature in games on December 2, 4, and 6. Pandya had initially joined the CoE on October 14 for an assessment of a left quadricep injury and has since been training diligently to prepare for the upcoming white-ball commitments.

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Pandya's 42-day-long rehab over

During his rehabilitation period, Pandya took a brief break around Diwali but successfully completed 42 days of intensive training under specialist supervision. Although he was initially expected to be ready for the ODI series against South Africa, which starts on Sunday, November 30, the plan was revised to gently ease him back into action through the shorter T20 format first.

Hardik Pandya has been out of action for two months, having been sidelined since the Asia Cup clash against Sri Lanka. As a result, he missed both the tour of Australia and India’s subsequent ODI matches against South Africa.

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Despite the layoff, Pandya remains a key figure in India’s white-ball strategy, and team management is reportedly aiming to ensure he is fully prepared for next year’s T20 World Cup. The three scheduled T20 matches for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will provide him with crucial match practice before he officially rejoins the national team for the T20I series against South Africa.