Hardik Pandya, the acclaimed all-rounder who led the Gujarat Titans to their maiden IPL title in 2022, is poised to make a significant move back to Mumbai Indians, where he began his illustrious IPL journey in 2015. As per sources from ESPNcricinfo, this transfer is an all-cash deal, with Mumbai Indians offering INR 15 crore (approximately $1.8 million) for Hardik’s salary, along with an additional undisclosed transfer fee to the Titans. Hardik is expected to earn up to 50% of this transfer fee.
This potential trade, if finalized, is set to become one of the most significant in IPL history. However, both franchises have not yet publicly confirmed the deal. A major hurdle for Mumbai Indians is their financial capacity for this trade. With only INR 0.05 crore left from the last auction and an additional INR 5 crore expected for the upcoming auction, Mumbai Indians might need to release some players to secure Hardik’s return. The deadline for player retention is November 26.
During his tenure with the Titans, Hardik demonstrated exceptional leadership, guiding the team to a title win in their debut season and a runner-up finish in 2023. Under his captaincy, the Titans consistently topped the points table in the league stage. Hardik amassed 833 runs in 30 innings with a robust average of 41.65 and an impressive strike rate of 133.49. He also contributed 11 wickets, showcasing his prowess as an all-rounder. Recently, Hardik suffered an ankle injury during India’s ODI World Cup campaign.
If this trade materializes, Hardik will join the ranks of R Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane, who were previously traded as captains to Delhi Capitals in 2020. Hardik’s journey in IPL began with Mumbai Indians, where he was bought as an uncapped player in 2015 for INR 10 lakhs. He played a pivotal role in Mumbai’s title-winning campaigns in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. His release from Mumbai Indians ahead of the 2022 mega auction was unexpected, allowing the Titans to sign him as their captain.
This move marks a significant turn in Hardik Pandya’s IPL career, potentially bringing him back to where it all started and adding an exciting chapter to both his career and the Mumbai Indians’ quest for IPL success.
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