‘The line it is drawn, The curse it is cast’ – it is now a potential homecoming for Hardik Pandya. The ace Indian all-rounder who joined Gujarat Titans two years ago is now moving back to his former home, Mumbai Indians as per reports. In what would be the biggest trade deal of the Indian Premier League history, the Mumbai outfits have acquired their future captain for an all-cash deal worth Rs 15 Crore.
While both franchises are yet to officially confirm, as per an ESPN Cricinfo report, the deal is all but done, pending release of players from Mumbai Indians.
“Hardik has been in talks with Mumbai Indians since the last IPL got over. Hardik and MI reached the decision a couple of months before the World Cup. It’s up to the two franchises to firm up the modalities and formalize the deal. An announcement will be made only after that,” TOI cited a BCCI source as saying.
Hardik Pandya, a discovery of Mumbai Indians scouting programme, made his IPL debut in 2015. And during his stint, he became the player that is precious for balance in India Cricket Team.
But Hardik made a sensational move away from Mumbai to the debutant Ahmedabad outfits back in IPL 2022 mega auction. It was former India pacer Ashish Nehra who convinced him after MI released Hardik ahead of the auction.
And he was an instant hit in Gujarat Titans. Hardik Pandya led his side to their Maiden IPL trophy on their inaugural year after returning form a 7-month injury layoff. He also and came close to making it a double this season. But eventually, Ravindra Jadeja powered MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings to a record 5th title in a rain-hit IPL 2023 final.
In his first stint in Mumbai Indians, Hardik Pandya scored 1476 runs at an average of 27.33 and a strike rate of 153.91 in 92 matches. He also hit four fifties. With the ball, he bagged 42 wickets.
For Gujarat Titans, he was equally successful, scoring 833 runs in 31 matches at an average of 37.86 and a strike rate of 133.49. He scalped 11 wickets.
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