Hardik Pandya will not play in the start of India's domestic T20 season. Baroda have named their squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026-27, which begins on 14 November, and the India all-rounder is not in it. His elder brother Krunal Pandya will captain the team. Hardik is still recovering from a shin injury at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Why Hardik is missing
Several reports published on Saturday, 7 November, describe Hardik's problem as a tibial bone stress injury, a stress injury to the shin bone. In October he was named in the India A squad for the one-day series against Australia A at home, but he pulled out after the shin problem came back. Since then he has been doing his rehab in Bengaluru.
Media reports say he has not yet been given medical clearance to return to competitive cricket. Neither the BCCI nor the Baroda Cricket Association has made a public statement about his exclusion, and no return date has been announced. One report says the board wants him to keep focusing on his rehab instead of rushing back for domestic games.
Hardik has not played a competitive match since 24 May 2026, when he turned out for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026. Reports also say he had back spasms during that IPL season. His last game for India was the T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand.
Baroda's squad for SMAT 2026-27
Krunal Pandya will lead Baroda, with Atit Sheth as vice-captain. The squad has a good mix of experience and young players. Deepak Hooda and Shivalik Sharma will strengthen the batting, and Jitesh Sharma will keep wicket. Seamers Raj Limbani and Rasikh Salam Dar lead the pace attack.
| Captain | Krunal Pandya |
| Vice-captain | Atit Sheth |
| Batters | Deepak Hooda, Shivalik Sharma, Shashwat Rawat, Bhanu Pania, Parikshit Patidar |
| Wicketkeepers | Jitesh Sharma, Amit Passi |
| Bowlers | Mahesh Pithiya, Hemant Punde, Raj Limbani, Rasikh Salam Dar, Dhruv Patel, Safvan Patel |
| Notable absentee | Hardik Pandya (shin injury rehab) |
| Tournament start | 14 November 2026 |
| Final | 6 December 2026 (as reported) |
A few reports list the squad a little differently. The confirmed points are that Krunal is captain, Atit Sheth is vice-captain and Hardik is not in the team.
About the tournament
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is India's premier domestic T20 competition. This season, 38 teams are split into four Elite groups and one Plate group. It starts on 14 November. IPL franchises follow SMAT closely, because it is where many uncapped players first get noticed.
Baroda are former SMAT champions, and the Pandya brothers have been central to the side for more than a decade. Without Hardik, a lot more will depend on Krunal's all-round game and on Hooda's batting in the middle order.
What it means for India
For Indian cricket, the real question is how long Hardik will be out. He is one of very few genuine pace-bowling all-rounders in the country, and the team management sees him as important for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. Stress injuries need careful handling, and returning too early can cause the problem to come back. Keeping him out of domestic T20s suggests the focus is on a full recovery and not just getting him back quickly.
In the meantime, India's white-ball sides are playing on. The ODI team, without Hardik, is already 2-0 up in New Zealand, and young seamers like Gurnoor Brar and Anshul Kamboj are taking their chances.
Fans will also remember that Hardik's career has had several injury breaks, including a long layoff after back surgery a few years ago. Each time, he has come back and played a big part for India. That history is one more reason the medical team is likely to be careful this time.
What happens next
Hardik's comeback will depend on medical clearance from the Centre of Excellence. If he recovers in the next few weeks, he could still play in the later rounds for Baroda, but nothing has been confirmed. For now, Krunal leads Baroda into the new season on 14 November.
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