Hardik Pandya Set to Return to Mumbai Indians in Mega All-Cash Trade: Reports

Mumbai: Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is set to rejoin his original IPL team, Mumbai Indians, after a two-season stint with Gujarat Titans. The much-anticipated all-cash deal, reportedly worth INR 15 crore for Hardik’s salary, along with an undisclosed transfer fee, could become the most substantial player trade in IPL history.

While neither franchise has officially confirmed the deal, Mumbai faces a financial hurdle, having only INR 0.05 crore left in their purse after the last auction. To accommodate Hardik’s return, Mumbai must release some high profile players before the retention deadline on November 26 at 4 pm IST. However, they will receive an additional INR 5 crore for the upcoming auction.

During his time with Titans, Hardik played a pivotal role, leading them to victory in 2022 and guiding them to the final in 2023. His contributions included 833 runs in 30 innings with an average of 41.65 and a strike rate of 133.49, along with 11 wickets. Hardik’s leadership and all-round ability have been instrumental in Titans’ success.

If the trade materializes, it will mark the third captain trade in IPL history, following R Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane’s moves in 2020. Titans, owned by CVC Capital Partners, secured Hardik in their initial IPL season in 2021, picking him alongside Rashid Khan and Shubman Gill.

Hardik’s journey began with Mumbai Indians in 2015, where he blossomed into one of the game’s premier all-rounders, contributing to multiple IPL titles. Mumbai’s decision to release him before the 2022 mega auction paved the way for Titans to sign him as their captain. Now, a potential reunion with Mumbai awaits Hardik pending the trade’s completion.