IPL 2024: Hardik Pandya says feeling of returning to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans 'not sunk in yet'

All-rounder Hardik Pandya described his return to the Mumbai Indians as “coming back to my home” in his first official statement since his blockbuster move from Gujarat Titans on Monday.

Pandya’s return to the franchise from where he began his Indian Premier League (IPL) journey in 2015 was confirmed a day after the deadline for teams to announce their retained and released players. The all-rounder had initially been retained by Gujarat Titans as their captain, only to be traded to his former franchise the following day in an all-cash deal.

Read | Revisiting Hardik Pandya’s achievements at Mumbai Indians

In a video posted by the five-time IPL champions on their social media accounts, Pandya said the feeling of returning to the franchise where he had spent seven seasons was “yet to sink in”.

“I am back. Rohit, Bumrah, Surya, Ishan, Polly, Malinga. Come on, let’s begin!” Pandya said in the video posted by Mumbai Indians on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Obviously the feel of coming back to Mumbai is very special for a lot of reasons. How my cricketing journey started in 2015 with MI, them noticing me in 2013. You know when I look back and how my span of 10 years has been something very special.

“It has not sunk in yet that finally I am back where my whole cricketing journey started and I have achieved all the possible things. They have been the most important part in my life,” added Pandya.

Watch talk about his happy homecoming, teaming up with his and resuming his journey with #MumbaiIndians #OneFamily #MumbaiMeriJaan @hardikpandya7 pic.twitter.com/sm6dXGJYCI

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) November 27, 2023

Pandya had spent seven seasons with Mumbai Indians, where he gradually evolved into the all-rounder and the finisher that he is today, and won four titles with them in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. He was then released by the franchise ahead of the 2022 mega auction and would promptly be picked up by GT along with Shubman Gill and Rashid Khan.

He would then spend two seasons with the Titans, where he formed a successful pairing with head coach Ashish Nehra and led the new franchise to the title on debut in 2022 as well as to a runner-up finish in 2023.

Read | Hardik Pandya’s top moments with as a Mumbai Indians player

Pandya also touched upon his bond with the Ambani family, which owns the highly successful and popular IPL team, in his statement on Monday.

“Special bond with Akash and the whole family. They have been with me through thick and thin and it is much more emotional because it feels that I am coming back to my home, I am coming back to my family where it all started.

“Paltan (MI fans), you supported me for the first time and all the memories have a special place in my heart. I know you will back me once again. We created history as a team, and now I look forward to creating some wonderful moments with the boys once again.

“Mere Hardik swagat ke liye thank you,” Pandya signed off