India’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is set to make his return to competitive cricket later this month, representing Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, following a BCCI directive mandating top players to play domestic cricket before representing India internationally.

Pandya becomes the second high-profile cricketer, after former captain Rohit Sharma, to comply with the BCCI diktat. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has not yet made any announcements and is currently in London with his family.

Recovery and Fitness Update

Hardik, 32, has been undergoing intensive rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru after sustaining a left quadriceps injury during India’s Asia Cup match against Sri Lanka.

The injury caused him to miss the tournament final against Pakistan and In

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