In a historic move for the IPL, Hardik Pandya has made a triumphant return to his “home” franchise, the Mumbai Indians, in what is being touted as the largest trade deal ever in the league’s history. The announcement came on Monday, just a day after the IPL 2024 retention deadline, solidifying the 30-year-old Baroda all-rounder’s association with the Mumbai Indians.
The announcement of Hardik Pandya’s return to the Mumbai Indians after leading the Gujarat Titans for two seasons garnered a range of reactions. A tweet by former India batsman and current commentator Aakash Chopra gained widespread attention, hinting at Pandya prioritizing financial gains over legacy.
During his tenure as captain, Hardik guided Gujarat Titans to two consecutive finals, securing a victory in one and facing defeat in the other. Reports suggest that Mumbai Indians paid a substantial trade fee to acquire Hardik, with the player himself entitled to 50 percent of that amount. Additionally, the move opens up opportunities for lucrative endorsement deals with Mumbai Indians.
While Hardik Pandya was in the process of building something significant with Gujarat Titans, his decision to return to Mumbai Indians, where he previously clinched four IPL titles between 2015 and 2021, has raised eyebrows about the balance between financial incentives and leaving a lasting legacy.
As the news was made public, Aakash Chopra tweeted: “Once in a while life would give you an opportunity to choose between money and legacy. Whatever you choose will define you for the rest of your life.”
Mumbai freed up funds for Hardik, who was earning a salary of INR 15 crore, by swapping Cameron Green (valued at INR 17.5 crore) to RCB.
In simplifying matters, considering the ongoing trading window, the 30-year-old has the opportunity to return to the franchise where he clinched four titles in his previous six-year stint. In this trade, Hardik Pandya joins the exclusive club of captains who have been traded between franchises, joining the ranks of Ajinkya Rahane (moving from Rajasthan Royals to Delhi Capitals) and Ravichandran Ashwin (making the switch from Punjab Kings to Delhi Capitals).
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In the wake of the all-rounder’s departure, Gujarat Titans have chosen 24-year-old Shubman Gill to lead the team in the upcoming 2024 edition of the lucrative league.
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