After intense drama, Hardik Pandya returns to Mumbai Indians

Hardik Pandya Returns to Mumbai Indians in a Dramatic Trade-Off with Gujarat Titans

After an intense 72-hour drama, India’s T20I captain, Hardik Pandya, finalized a formal trade-off deal with the Mumbai Indians, calling it his “spiritual home.” The deal was completed with an all-cash trade-off with Gujarat Titans, marking his return to the Mumbai Indians.

Following the closure of the IPL retention window, Gujarat Titans raised eyebrows when they named their IPL-winning captain in the retention list. However, it was later revealed that the formal paperwork for the move had not yet been completed, leading to a delay in approval from the IPL and BCCI.

A senior BCCI official and IPL Governing Council member confirmed the completion of the deal, stating that Cameron Green, the all-rounder who was traded from Mumbai Indians to RCB in an all-cash deal, provided the necessary funds for the acquisition of Hardik Pandya.

Pandya was initially picked by Gujarat Titans before the 2022 auction and led the team to back-to-back finals, winning the championship in their maiden year. His reported fee was Rs 15 crore, and his return to Mumbai Indians is seen as part of the franchise’s long-term team-building strategy.

With the upcoming mega auction in 2025, Mumbai Indians are planning for the future and will have to make decisions about leadership, especially with Rohit Sharma still a key player for the franchise. Pandya’s return to Mumbai Indians was fueled by his desire to captain the IPL’s most popular franchise and build his brand as a national skipper.

Overall, Pandya’s return to Mumbai Indians represents a significant move in the IPL transfer season, and his role with the team will be closely watched as the franchise prepares for the upcoming seasons.