After a week of reports suggesting Hardik Pandya to miss the group stages of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, it is revealed that the all-rounder has changed his mind.
According to the latest reports from Baroda Camp, Pandya will start playing in the 50-over tournament on Saturday.
Krunal Pandya-led Baroda are presently in Hyderabad and has played two games so far in the domestic one-day competition having won both against Tripura and Kerala and their third match will be played after a five-day gap.
“He had some personal issues and that is why he was not available for the first few games. He has reached Hyderabad and he will play tomorrow,” said Ajit Lele, the secretary of the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA).
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the national selection committee has clearly made that every cricketer must participate in domestic competitions unless otherwise advised or exempted.
Pandya has not played a non-T20 game since injuring ankle during World Cup last October, was to participate in the VHT only from the knockouts which, incidently are to be played in his hometown from January 09.
Pandya has featured in 38 T20 games, including internationals, IPL games and SMAT matches. “He has had some discussions with coach Mukund Parmar and will be playing from now,” Lele said.
Pandya’s participation in the Vijay Hazare are very important that the Champions Trophy selection criteria with selectors might be watching him in Hyderabad.
Pandya has feature in seven matches of the SMAT where Baroda reached the semifinals. In those seven matches, Pandya scored 246 runs and claimed six wickets.
Currently Baroda is playing in the match against Bengla on December 28 at Gymkhana Ground.
Also Read: Vijay Hazare Winners List With Full Records List – Updated
