6, 6, 6! Hardik Pandya powers Baroda’s record SMAT chase in comeback match after two months

The 32-year-old Hardik then walked out for the chase in the eighth over at No. 4 with Baroda openers Vishnu Solanki and Shashwat Rawat already setting a stable platform. Hardik progressively unfurled his range of shots, and ensured that he had reserved the best for the last.

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Hardik (77* off 42) belted left-arm pacer Ashwani Kumar and Gurnoor Brar for three sixes in succession before sealing Baroda’s highest-ever chase in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, one better than last year’s 222-run chase against Tamil Nadu.

The win was crucial for Baroda after enduring a patch start with a solitary win from the three previous rounds.

Hardik was out of action due to a left quadricep injury and subsequently missed the white-ball tour of Australia and the ongoing ODIs against South Africa. He arrived at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for rehabilitation on October 15.

The large crowd at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal, eager to see Hardik back in action, witnessed a dramatic moment when a fan ran onto the field to grab a quick selfie with the star player before being removed by security.

Hardik is now slated for a comeback in national colours during the forthcoming five-match T20I series against the Proteas.