Will Hardik Pandya Play Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025? Here's a BIG UPDATE

The Indian domestic cricket is in the middle phase with Ranji Trophy's first phase already completed. The countdown to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 has begun, and has once again taken the center stage with the involvement of many national setup players' participation.

With the new season scheduled to start from November 26, teams have been divided into Elite and Plate divisions, and are now preparing for a highly competitive campaign leading up to the final on 18th December.

Beyond just domestic importance, this year’s SMAT addition is going to be very special as some of the best T20 batsmen will be seen, and among those is the return of a major Indian star who has been away from cricket for a while due to injury concerns.

Hardik Pandya Injury Update: Will He Play SMAT 2025?

The biggest question that remained with fans was Hardik Pandya injury and his fitness, which made them wonder whether he would play the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025. Based on multiple reports and confirmation from the player franchise's Head Coach Mukund Parmar, it is clear that Hardik Pandya Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy comeback news is true and the star player will finally be seen playing on the field.

According to Baroda's head coach Mukund Parmar, Hardik Pandya will be available for most of the group stage matches in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. It is a good news for the Baroda cricket team, who look strong with Pandya in the Playing 11. The latest Hardik Pandya injury update suggests that the player has recovered significantly from the quadriceps injury he sustained in the Asia Cup 2025 and will be available to play. The injury not only kept him away from the tournament’s final but also ruled him out of India’s ODI assignments that followed.

Hardik Pandya has been out of competitive cricket for quite a long time now and his SMAT participation is seen as the most important step towards his international comeback. The PTI also reported that Pandya will have to prove his match fitness and form in the SMAT before being considered for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa and New Zealand starting December 9. Playing in the SMAT, he will play under the leadership of his brother, Krunal Pandya.

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025: Team and Players to Watch Out

The SMAT 2025 Season will feature 38 teams in two different divisions across the Elite and Plate divisions. Teams like Mumbai, Baroda, Bengal, and Karnataka have assembled a star-studded lineup, making this one of the most competitive seasons. Some of the most dangerous batsmen in the world will be featuring in this league.

Along with Hardik Pandya SMAT comeback, Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Prithvi Shaw, Mohammed Shami, Akash Deep, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Nitish Rana are a few of the popular names who will feature in this edition. With established match winners and national players' comebacks, the Syed Mushtaq Ali 2025 will be a must-watch blockbuster season.