Unless there are unforeseen changes, Hardik Pandya is poised to depart Gujarat Titans and make a return to Mumbai Indians, the team where he initially launched his IPL career in 2015. The reported deal involves Mumbai Indians paying an all-cash amount of INR 15 crore ($1.8 million approx.) as Hardik’s salary, along with an undisclosed transfer fee to Gujarat Titans.
Should the trade materialize, it could potentially be the most significant player exchange in IPL history. Mumbai faces the challenge of managing their budget for the deal, considering they had a minimal amount left after the last auction. They are expected to release players to secure funds for this transfer. The retention deadline is set to expire on November 26 at 4 pm IST.
Despite leading Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in 2022 and guiding them to the final in 2023, where they finished as runners-up, Hardik Pandya’s potential move back to Mumbai Indians marks a significant development.
In his two seasons with Gujarat Titans, Hardik showcased impressive performances, scoring 833 runs in 30 innings with an average of 41.65 and a strike rate of 133.49. He also contributed with the ball, taking 11 wickets at an economy rate of 8.1. Currently recovering from an ankle injury sustained during India’s ODI World Cup campaign, Hardik’s trade to Mumbai Indians could make him the third captain to be traded in IPL history.
The Titans franchise, owned by CVC Capital Partners, acquired Hardik Pandya in 2021 when they entered the league. Mumbai Indians, where Hardik began his IPL journey, had retained him until the 2021 season but released him before the 2022 mega auction.
This decision allowed Titans to sign him as their captain. If the trade materializes, it will mark a significant chapter in Hardik Pandya’s IPL journey, bringing him back to the team where he flourished into one of the game’s top all-rounders.
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