Hardik Pandya wasted little time reminding everyone what he offers a T20 side. Playing his first competitive match since a left-quadriceps strain in September, the all-rounder belted an unbeaten 77 from 42 balls to guide Baroda past Punjab’s hefty 222 for 5 in Vadodara. The seven-wicket win keeps both teams level on two victories each in a tight Group C led by Gujarat.
Baroda were wobbling at 59 for 2 when Hardik walked in, but a breezy 101-run stand with Shivalik Sharma settled nerves. Sharma, on 47 from 32, was deliberately retired out – a growing tactical ploy in domestic T20s – allowing power-hitter Jitesh Sharma to join Hardik with 30 needed off 15. The pair needed only nine deliveries.
“I just wanted to finish, to prove to myself the body’s fine,” Hardik said afterwards. “The bowling’s still catching up, but the hitting feels okay.” His figures of 1 for 52 from four overs reflected rust: Punjab captain Abhishek Sharma took 24 off Hardik’s first eight balls, racing to a 50 from 18 before picking out deep mid-wicket next ball.
Anmolpreet Singh (69 off 32) and Naman Dhir (39 off 28) had earlier accelerated through the middle. “We thought 220 was safe,” Abhishek admitted. “Credit to Hardik and the tactics – retiring Shivalik was smart.”
Shaw spoils Suryavanshi’s day
Over in Ranchi, Prithvi Shaw delivered a pointed reminder to IPL scouts. The Maharashtra captain thumped 66 from 30 to eclipse a remarkable maiden century by Bihar teenager Vaibhav Suryavanshi.
At 14 years and 226 days, Suryavanshi became the youngest centurion in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, finishing 108 not out from 61 (seven fours, seven sixes) in Bihar’s 176 for 3. “I just tried to keep still and hit straight,” the left-hander said shyly. It is already his third ton of 2025, drawing him level with Abhishek Sharma for the year.
Shaw, unsold at last season’s IPL auction, attacked the new ball, carving five fours and five sixes in a 71-run powerplay. Although Maharashtra stumbled late, they crossed the line with three wickets and an over to spare. “The kid batted beautifully,” Shaw noted. “But we were clear: stay positive, use the shorter side, and it should come.” Maharashtra now have two wins from four; Bihar are winless.
Padikkal punishes Tamil Nadu
Karnataka snapped a two-match skid in emphatic style, hammering Tamil Nadu by 145 runs in Bengaluru. Devdutt Padikkal’s unbeaten 102 from 46 – his fourth T20 hundred – underpinned a daunting 245 for 2. Mayank Agarwal and BR Sharath (53 off 23) added 69 inside six overs before Padikkal took over, striking ten fours and six sixes. R Smaran’s 46 not out kept up the tempo.
Varun Chakravarthy, usually TN’s banker, leaked 47 from four wicketless overs. The chase never threatened: TN folded for 100 in 14.2, leg-spinners Shreyas Gopal and Pravin Dubey sharing six wickets. “We spoke about intent after those losses,” Padikkal said. “Today felt more like us.” Karnataka cling to Super-Four hopes on two wins; TN slide to the bottom of Group B.
Round-up
• Gujarat’s earlier win against Railways means they stay clear in Group C.
• Veteran pacer Dhawal Kulkarni collected 4 for 18 as Mumbai eased past Services.
• Rain washed out Saurashtra v Delhi, the points split.
Plenty still to sort with two group games left, but the headline is obvious: Hardik’s back, and looking ominous.
