Ranji Trophy: Hardik Pandya picks three-for on comeback against Mumbai

Hardik Pandya, back in competitive cricket after recovering from back-injury took three wickets, removing both the openers and ended with figures of 3/74

Hardik Pandya, back in competitive cricket after recovering from a back spasm that he suffered in the Asia Cup in UAE in September, had opened the bowling and rocked Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium for the Ranji Trophy match between Mumbai and Baroda.

Pandya took three wickets, removing both the openers and ended with figures of 3/74 after Mumbai were put in to bat.

Pandya's cheap dismissals of openers Aditya Tare and newcomer Vikrant Auti had no effect on Iyer who went on a run-scoring spree to take the wind out of Baroda's sails and place Mumbai, who are languishing in the 16th out of 18 spots on the points table, in a commanding position at stumps.

Shreyas Iyer slammed 11 sixes and 17 fours in a blistering knock of 178 and put on a double century stand with skipper Siddhesh Lad, who made a responsible 130, to power Mumbai to an imposing score of 439 for 8 against Baroda.

Earlier, Pandya sounded extremely excited to make his comeback and was happy to finally get fit and play cricket.

"...I'm very excited. I'm done resting, being away from the game for so long. I wanted to come back smart and in the right way. I'm quite happy that I'm finally fit and ready to play cricket. I'm coming back after three months, I just want to express myself, play my best cricket and enjoy myself," Pandya told the Times of India.

(With inputs from PTI)