Mumbai Indians are actively pursuing the return of Hardik Pandya for the IPL 2024 season, engaging in discussions with both the player and the Gujarat Titans, where Pandya currently serves as captain. The all-rounder, who played a crucial role in Mumbai’s past decade of success, was released in 2021 but has since flourished with the Titans, leading them to victory in the 2022 season and securing a spot in the IPL 2023 finals.
Recognizing Pandya’s leadership skills, Mumbai is contemplating bringing him back to the franchise and potentially handing him the captaincy in the future. Reports suggest that while Rohit Sharma will remain the leader for Mumbai Indians in 2024, Pandya could assume the captain’s role from 2025 onward.
On the other side, News18 reports that the Gujarat Titans have expressed interest in a trade involving Rohit Sharma or Jofra Archer in exchange for Pandya. While the likelihood of Rohit leaving Mumbai seems slim, Archer could find himself with the Titans if the deal materializes. The trading window is set to close on November 26.
Despite Mumbai’s eagerness to regain Pandya, the Titans, under his captaincy, have built a formidable team, achieving success in the first two years. The partnership between Pandya and Ashish Nehra has proven fruitful. Consequently, there seems to be little incentive for the Titans to break this successful alliance, especially considering the injury concerns surrounding Jofra Archer.
However, if Pandya does depart, either Rashid Khan or Kane Williamson is speculated to step into the captaincy role. In another development, Kolkata Knight Riders have enlisted Gautam Gambhir as their mentor, marking a potential second homecoming for Hardik Pandya in the IPL tournament.
The dynamics of the trading window and the evolving team compositions add an intriguing layer to the upcoming season.
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