Even as a couple of days have passed since Hardik Pandya’s sensational move to Mumbai Indians, the buzz around the most- expensive trade deal is refusing to die down. Well, most-expensive an understatement. What HP actually received from 5-time champs MI for his homecoming is very well under the covers and isn’t likely to see the light of the day anytime soon.
While many theories are doing the rounds regarding Pandya’s transfer and the money behind it, Ravichandran Ashwin offered some useful insight into the trade deal. The veteran Indian spinner, who is one of three captains to be traded in IPL history, elaborated on what goes around a trade deal involving the two teams and the player. In this case, he was referring to Hardik Pandya.
Ashwin explains Hardik Pandya’s trade deal with MI
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin explained that 10-40% of the agreed amount can be given to the player by the team. Delving into the fine aspects of the trade, he said that MI have bought HP’s contract from GT for the publicly disclosed amount of Rs 15cr. He went on to add that there is also an undisclosed amount in play here, noting that it could be split between the player and the team (selling the player).
“I’ll tell you about the trade deal as I myself have been involved in one. A player can get 10% to 50% of the amount he is transferred for. For example, Mumbai Indians will buy Hardik Pandya’s contract from GT, for Rs 15 cr as told to the public. And the player considered their commodity, for which they had to give another amount, which is the undisclosed amount in the news right now“, Ashwin explained in a video on his YouTube channel.
Further, Ashwin opined that it wasn’t necessary for the franchise to disclose that amount to the public, coining it as an ‘internal affair’.
Also Read
- IND vs AUS T20I series all you need to know
- India squad for South Africa tour likely next week
- Rahul Dravid to continue as India coach
- Virat Kohli takes break from white-ball cricket?
Pandya’s transfer saga and how it unfolded
It’s still unclear how and what triggered the trade deal. In his two-year tenure, Pandya has led Gujarat Titans to IPL title in 2022 and IPL final in 2023. In fact, hardly any team has been as consistent as GT in the last two seasons. Pandya has a record of winning 70.96% of the match as GT won 22 out of 31 games in the last two editions, making him one of the most successful leaders of IPL.
But on the Retention Deadline day, he completed a move to Mumbai Indians for a trade record Rs 15 Crore. However, Gujarat Titans won’t be taking any player from Mumbai Indians.
Instead, to make room for Hardik, Mumbai Indians have released Jofra Archer (8 Cr), Riley Meredith and Jhye Richardson. And MI have traded Cameron Green (Rs 17.25 Cr) to Royal Challengers Bangalore. With the money in the bank, MI have paid GT for Hardik Pandya’s homecoming.