Hardik Pandya's All-Round Blitz Powers Baroda to 149-Run Vijay Hazare Win.

Hardik Pandya's All-Round Blitz Powers Baroda to 149-Run Vijay Hazare Win.

Hardik Pandya's All-Round Masterclass Powers Baroda to 149-Run Thrashing of Chandigarh

Rajkot, India – January 8, 2026

                    India all-rounder Hardik Pandya delivered a breathtaking performance to propel Baroda to a commanding 149-run victory over Chandigarh in their final Elite Group B match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 at the Niranjan Shah Stadium.

            The 32-year-old smashed a blistering 75 off just 31 balls (2 fours, 9 sixes) at a strike rate of 241.94, before returning with the ball to claim 3/66 in his full 10 overs, restricting Chandigarh to 242 all out in 40 overs while chasing Baroda's mammoth 391.


Pandya's explosive knock – which included a 19-ball fifty – transformed Baroda's innings from a precarious position, forging crucial partnerships with Priyanshu Moliya (113 off 106) and Jitesh Sharma (73 off 33). This all-round brilliance not only secured a massive win but sent a strong message ahead of India's international commitments.

Match Summary and Key Moments

Baroda captain Krunal Pandya won the toss and elected to bat on a batsman-friendly pitch. Early setbacks saw them reduced to 123/4, but Priyanshu Moliya's composed century laid the foundation.

The game changed when Hardik Pandya walked in at No. 6. He unleashed carnage, reaching fifty in 19 balls and peppering the boundary with nine towering sixes. His dismissal in the 29th over for 75 triggered a late surge from Jitesh Sharma, propelling Baroda to 391 all out in 49.1 overs.

Baroda Vs Chandigarh Highlights, Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 ...

Chasing 392 proved too steep for Chandigarh. Despite contributions from openers and middle-order, Pandya's disciplined bowling broke the backbone, picking three key wickets. Baroda's spinners and pacers chipped in, bundling out Chandigarh for 242 in 40 overs.

Man of the Match: Hardik Pandya.
Elite Group B Points Table (After Round 7)

PositionTeamPlayedWonLostNRPointsNRR1 Uttar Pradesh (Q) 7 7 0 0 28 +1.737
2 Vidarbha (Q) 7 5 2 0 20 +1.264
3 Baroda (E) 7 5 2 0 20 +0.712
4 Bengal (E) 7 4 3 0 16 +0.366
5 Jammu & Kashmir (E) 7 3 4 0 12 -0.426
6 Hyderabad (E) 7 2 5 0 8 +0.026
7 Chandigarh (E) 7 1 6 0 4 -2.219

Niranjan Shah Stadium Fixtures | Upcoming Cricket Matches

Baroda finished third but were eliminated on net run rate, with Vidarbha advancing to quarter-finals.

Team News and Context

Baroda needed a big win to boost NRR for qualification hopes, and Pandya's return to domestic cricket after international duties delivered exactly that. Following a century in his previous outing, this knock reinforced his red-hot form.

Chandigarh struggled throughout the group stage, managing just one win.

Three Key Answers from the Match
1. How impactful was Hardik Pandya's batting innings?

Game-changing. Arriving at 213/5, his 31-ball onslaught added crucial momentum, lifting Baroda from middling to monumental. Nine sixes tormented bowlers, showcasing peak T20-style aggression in List A.

2. What role did Pandya play with the ball?

Equally vital. Bowling a full quota – unusual for him recently – he claimed 3/66, breaking partnerships and maintaining pressure. His economy of 6.60 on a high-scoring day was commendable.

3. Why couldn't Baroda qualify despite the win?

Net run rate shortfall. Despite five wins, inferior NRR to Vidarbha kept them third and eliminated, highlighting the importance of margins in round-robin stages.

Three Burning Questions Post-Match
1. Is Hardik Pandya back to his absolute best?

Undoubtedly signaling yes. Back-to-back explosive performances (century + 75) and full bowling spells suggest peak fitness and form, boosting India's T20 World Cup preparations.

2. What next for Baroda after elimination?

Focus on player development and rebuilding. Talents like Moliya and Sharma shone, providing positives despite missing knockouts.

3. Can Chandigarh rebound in future seasons?

Challenging campaign exposes depth issues. With young players, investment in infrastructure and coaching could turn fortunes.

In-Depth Analysis: Pandya's Statement Performance

Pandya's innings exemplified modern List A batting – aggressive from ball one. His 19-ball fifty included a barrage of sixes, exploiting short boundaries and tired bowlers.

Tactically, Krunal Pandya's decision to promote Hardik paid off. Partnerships: 90+ with Moliya and rapid with Sharma.

Bowling-wise, Pandya varied pace effectively, targeting middle-order collapses.

Stats spotlight: Pandya's 208 runs in two matches; Baroda's 391 highest in group.

Player Ratings Highlights:

Baroda: Hardik Pandya (10), Priyanshu Moliya (8), Jitesh Sharma (8).

Chandigarh: Top-scorer (7), Jagjit Singh (6 for wickets including Pandya).

Looking Ahead

With group stages concluded, quarter-finals loom featuring toppers like Uttar Pradesh and Vidarbha. For Pandya, this form bodes well for national selection.

Hardik's all-round heroics not only dismantled Chandigarh but reminded the cricketing world of his match-winning prowess. A sensational display in Rajkot that lit up the Vijay Hazare Trophy.