IPL 2024 Auction: Why Gujarat Titans allowed Hardik Pandya to join Mumbai Indians? GT explain

Hardik Pandya made a return to his former franchise Mumbai Indians on Monday as he was traded back from Gujarat Titans. It was an all-cash deal which means Gujarat Titans will have Rs 15 crore extra in their purse for the IPL 2024 mini-auction on 19 December, while Mumbai Indians will be poorer by Rs 15 crore. Hardik started his IPL career in 2015 with MI and won four titles with them before joining GT ahead of the 2022 season.

IPL 2024 Auction: Full list of players retained, released, traded

Hardik was released by MI in 2022 before the mega auction as they decided to retain Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Surykumar Yadav and Kieron Pollard. The all-rounder then joined Gujarat and went on to guide the franchise to their maiden IPL title in their first season. GT, however, was forced to trade Pandya to Mumbai Indians ahead of the IPL 2024 auction as the India cricketer wanted to move back to his former franchise, revealed Vikram Solanki, Director of Cricket at Gujarat Titans.

“As the first captain of Gujarat Titans, Hardik Pandya has helped the franchise deliver two fantastic seasons that resulted in winning one TATA IPL championship and one appearance in the final. He has now expressed a desire to return to his original team Mumbai Indians. We respect his decision and wish him all the very best in his future endeavours,” Solanki said.

Hardik Pandya: Feeling of returning to MI ‘not sunk in yet’

Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians co-owner Nita Ambani is delighted to welcome Pandya “back home”.

“We are thrilled to welcome Hardik back home! It’s a heartwarming reunion with our Mumbai Indians family! From being a young scouted talent of Mumbai Indians to now being a team India star, Hardik has come a long way and we’re excited for what the future holds for him and Mumbai Indians” said Nita Ambani.

Hardik is also tipped to be the next MI captain, but, there’s no confirmation if he will replace Rohit Sharma as skipper in the 2024 season.