India allrounder Hardik Pandya didn't make it to Baroda's squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which began on Saturday, December 21 in venues across the country. The Baroda Cricket Association has clarified that he will join the team from the knockout rounds, which begin only on January 9. Pandya has probably given the first half of the tournament to manage his workload.

Pandya was part of Baroda's playing XI in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy semifinal last week but missed out on the first match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Tripura. Despite his absence, Baroda posted 302/7 batting first, riding on an 86-run knock from Shivalik Sharma.

Pandya scored 246 runs in seven matches in SMAT, at an average of 49.2 and a strike rate of 193.7. It needs to be seen if he maintains the form by next month. He also picked six wickets.

"He will play from the knockouts; he has informed us," Kiran More was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

BCCI and the national selection committee led by former India cricketer Ajit Agarkar have said that every player must take part in domestic tournaments unless otherwise advised.

Pandya's last appearance in a non-T20 game was in the ODI World Cup on October 19 last year against Bangladesh in Pune, where he suffered an ankle injury and remained sidelined from competitive cricket for an extended period.

Pandya's participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy will play a crucial role in his selection for the upcoming Champions Trophy and with a threat looming large in Nitish Reddy, Pandya will need to be on his toes and in top form in the domestic tournament.

Since his injury in 2023, Pandya has played 38 T20s, including internationals, IPL and domestic matches, but none in other formats. His last international appearance was against South Africa in a T20I in November.

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