Hardik Pandya recalled from SMAT, to join India squad in Cuttack on Dec 6 ...Middle East

Hardik Pandya has passed his domestic test with flying colours. And after just two matches for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, BCCI has recalled him. Initially, Pandya was slated to play three matches for Baroda, with the last match against Haryana on December 6. However, instead, BCCI has asked him to report to Cuttack on the same day for the IND vs SA T20 series.

Suryakumar Yadav-led India squad will assemble in Cuttack on December 5 as per a Times of India report. The premier white-ball all-rounder had to go through the domestic grind to prove his match fitness after a two-month layoff following a quadricep injury. Hardik missed the all-important and dramatic Asia Cup 2025 final with an injury and also missed the Australia tour and the three ODIs against South Africa. But after getting clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, he played two matches for Baroda.

Happy Hardik Pandya is what we love to see pic.twitter.com/DeF2QTJQsN

Hardik Pandya shines in SMAT

Hardik put up an all-round show across two matches for Baroda in the Syed Muhstaq Ali Trophy. Against Punjab, he was costly with the ball, conceding 52 runs in four overs in exchange for a wicket on return to competitive cricket. However, with the bat, he was excellent. Pandya hammered a 42-ball 77 to help Baroda chase down the 223-run target with five balls to spare.

In the second match against Gujarat, Hardik was excellent with the ball. In his four overs, the seam-bowling all-rounder gave away just 16 runs in exchange for a wicket as Baroda bowled them out for just 72 runs. He did not have to do much with the bat in the facile chase as he scored 6-ball 10 before falling to Ravi Bishnoi.

Fitness concerns ahead of T20 World Cup

With just 10 T20Is left for the T20 World Cup 2026 at home, Team India would be concerned about Hardik Pandya. The all-rounder has suffered frequent injuries, ruling him out for a month on most occasions. But with no replacement or backup for the seam-bowling all-rounder, Hardik remains the most important player of India in the white-ball set-up. His presence gives India the balance and the coach the flexibility. Hardik can open the bowling, bowl in the powerplay, death and middle-overs at 140 clicks. He can also bat at No 3 and No 8, hold the fort or smash a few sixes to accelerate. No other player in India can replicate that effectively like Hardik.

Hence, his fitness will be India’s top priority ahead of the T20 World Cup. That is also a reason why Hardik was recalled from Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The extra day’s rest will allow him to fully recover before the five-match T20I series against South Africa, beginning December 9.

India squad for IND vs SA T20I series

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC)*, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar

IND vs SA T20I Series Schedule

Hardik Pandya recalled from SMAT, to join India squad in Cuttack on Dec 6 Inside Sport India.

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