Hardik Pandya marks successful comeback, picks two crucial wickets in DY Patil T20 Cup 2024 game

Hardik Pandya made a successful return to competitive cricket with a crucial spell for Reliance 1 during the 18th edition of the DY Patil T20 Cup 2024 at the DY Patil Stadium on Monday, February 26. The star all-rounder was out of action due to an ankle injury which ruled him out midway through the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in October-November.

After Reliance 1 opted to bat first, Hardik claimed two wickets for 22 runs and helped his side restrict Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) to 126 in 18.3 overs. Reliance 1’s other wicket-takers were Piyush Chawla (3/15) and Dev Lakra (3/31). Anukul Roy top-scored for BPCL, amassing a crucial 30 runs. Meanwhile, Reliance got off to a solid start with a 51-run opening stand between Naman Dhir and Nehal Wadhera. However, Reliance suffered a middle-order collapse and were reduced from 87 for one to 113 for eight. Hardik then batted at No. 10 and was unbeaten on 3 (4), partnering with Piyush Chawla to help Reliance 1 upset BPCL by two wickets.

Over the past two months, Hardik Pandya has been working to regain full fitness. He and Rishabh Pant recently participated in three practice Twenty20 matches in Alur, organized by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, after the former resumed training in Baroda three weeks ago following his rehabilitation. After participating in all those matches as a batter and bowler, the 30-year-old received a clearance certificate from the NCA to play in the DY Patil tournament.