Hardik Pandya played a key role in Baroda’s victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on Tuesday with his all-round performance. Hardik was playing competitive cricket for the first time since September. Baroda defeated Punjab by seven wickets with five balls to spare in the Elite Group C match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. During this match, fans broke the security cordon several times and entered the field to meet Hardik Pandya. However, Hardik Pandya did not disappoint the fans and fulfilled their demands.

To meet Hardik Pandya, fans dodged security several times and reached the star cricketer. Fans reached Hardik several times. During this, one fan hugged Hardik, while others were seen taking photos or videos. Fans reached Hardik during batting and bowling. However, every time the security kept the fans away from the players. Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya made a brilliant comeback in competitive cricket after two months and scored an unbeaten 77 runs, with the help of which Baroda defeated Punjab by seven wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Group C match.

Pandya played this innings in 42 balls with the help of seven fours and four sixes. Punjab had scored 222 runs for eight wickets in 20 overs, which included 50 runs in 19 balls by Indian opener Abhishek Sharma. On the basis of Pandya’s innings, Baroda scored 224 runs for three wickets in 19.1 overs. This was Pandya’s first competitive match after playing against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup Super Four in Dubai in September. He bowled four overs and gave away 52 runs and also took one wicket.

Baroda is currently placed third in the table with eight points, while Gujarat is at the top and Punjab is at the second spot. Hardik was last seen playing for India on September 26 in the Super Four match of the Asia Cup against Sri Lanka. Since then, he has been out of action due to a left quadricep injury. He reached the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for rehab on October 15. After taking a three-day break for Diwali, he continued to work on his fitness between October 21 and November 29.

Read More: Fans repeatedly dodged security to meet Hardik Pandya, the all-rounder won hearts