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]Fan Runs Onto Field to Meet Hardik Pandya, Hardik Tells Security to Stay Calm
by K D Mishra
Star India all-rounder Hardik Pandya made a happy return from injury during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match between Baroda and Punjab at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. A fan ran onto the field to take a selfie with him during the game.
This was Hardik’s first match since the 2025 Asia Cup Super 4 game against Sri Lanka in Dubai. His return to domestic cricket is a big boost for India before the five-match T20I series against South Africa starting on December 9.
Hardik had been out with a quadriceps injury and missed the 2025 Asia Cup Final, the Australia tour, and the ODI series against South Africa.
Hardik Pandya bowled with the new ball under his brother Krunal Pandya’s captaincy against Punjab openers Abhishek Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh. During his spell, a fan ran onto the ground, crossed the security line, and took a selfie with Hardik before security took him away. At the end of the video, Hardik was seen making hand signs toward the security staff as the fan was being removed.
Pitch invaders are now common in matches in India. Recently, during the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi on November 30, a fan broke the security line and entered the field to touch Virat Kohli’s feet while he was celebrating his 52nd ODI hundred.
Hardik Pandya returned to bowling with figures of 1-52 as Punjab scored 222-8 in the SMAT 2025-26. He was the most expensive bowler, giving 52 runs in 4 overs, but he took the important wicket of Anmolpreet Singh, who scored 69, breaking a strong third-wicket partnership in the 15th over.
Punjab, after scoring a record 310-5 against Bengal, batted well again to post another big total. Hardik will need to play a strong innings with the bat if Baroda wants to win and for him to impress the selectors before the South Africa T20I squad is announced.
