Hardik Pandya has passed his fitness test in domestic cricket with flying colours. After playing two matches for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the BCCI recalled him to the India T20I squad. He was scheduled to play against Haryana on December 6, but he will now join the India squad in Cuttack on the same day. This decision shows that the team management wants to keep him ready for the T20 series against South Africa.

The India T20I team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, will assemble in Cuttack on December 5. Hardik was out for two months due to a quadriceps injury. He missed the Asia Cup 2025 final, the tour of Australia, and the ODIs against South Africa. After receiving fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, he played two matches for Baroda.

In the first match against Punjab, Hardik proved expensive with his bowling, taking one wicket for 52 runs in four overs. But he performed brilliantly with the bat. Hardik scored 77 runs in 42 balls to help Baroda surpass a mammoth target of 223 runs.

In the second match, against Gujarat, he displayed excellent bowling control. Hardik conceded just 16 runs in four overs and took one wicket. He batted briefly and scored 10 runs off 6 balls.

Hardik's fitness remains a major issue for the team ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. He has been plagued by injuries, and the team lacks a direct replacement for a seam-bowling all-rounder.

Hardik can handle every phase of bowling and provides balance to the team from top to bottom of the batting order. This is why his fitness is crucial for India.

He was recalled early from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to allow him an extra day of rest and be fully prepared for the five-match T20I series against South Africa, starting December 9.

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