Gujarat Titans’ captain Hardik Pandya is poised to depart from Gujarat Titans, making a return to the Mumbai Indians, the five-time champions where he initially entered the IPL scene in 2015. Sources from ESPNcricinfo reveal that Mumbai Indians will engage in an all-cash transaction, transferring INR 15 crore to Gujarat Titans to secure the all-rounder for the IPL 2024 season.
This potential trade is anticipated to be the most substantial in the league’s history. The specifics of this development are being kept confidential by both Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans. Mumbai faces the challenge of ensuring sufficient funds to finalize the transaction, potentially necessitating the release of a couple of players to facilitate Hardik’s return. The deadline for player retentions is set for November 26 at 4 P.M IST.
Hardik Pandya, who led Gujarat Titans to their inaugural IPL title in 2022, saw the team reach the final for the second consecutive year in 2023. Despite losing to the Chennai Super Kings in the final, the Titans had secured the top spot on the points table in both seasons.
In his 30 innings for Gujarat Titans, Hardik accumulated 833 runs with an average of 41.65 and a strike rate of 133.39. Additionally, he claimed 11 wickets with an economy rate of 8.1.
Currently recovering from an ankle injury sustained during a World Cup game against Bangladesh, Hardik Pandya was ruled out of the remaining matches.
If the proposed trade unfolds successfully, Hardik Pandya will become the third captain to be traded, following R Ashwin’s move from Punjab Kings to Delhi Capitals and Ajinkya Rahane’s transfer from Rajasthan Royals to Delhi Capitals in 2020.
Gujarat Titans had secured Hardik and Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan for INR 15 crore each before the IPL 2022 Mega Auction, their first foray into the IPL Auction. Shubman Gill also joined the franchise as their third pick at INR 7 crore.
Hardik, who initially joined Mumbai Indians as an uncapped player for INR 10 lakh in 2015, played a pivotal role in their title victories in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. However, Mumbai opted to retain Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Kieron Pollard, releasing Hardik Pandya ahead of the mega auction in 2022.
