IPL 2024: After Hardik, another Pandya…, R Ashwin’s cheeky reaction on Mumbai Indians trade: Mumbai Indians’ stunning move to bring back Hardik Pandya ahead of the Tata IPL 2024 Auction has sent shock waves across the cricket fraternity. Although the trade is not yet officially confirmed by the Mumbai Indians, nor by Gujarat Titans, the reports have asserted that Hardik’s homecoming is almost confirmed.
Hardik Pandya was not retained by Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction, and subsequently, Gujarat Titans (GT) roped him ahead of the auction by shelling out INR 15 Crores. Gujarat showed faith in the all-rounder and gave him leadership responsibilities, to which he obliged gracefully.
The Baroda-based cricketer not only took Gujarat Titans (GT) to playoffs but also managed to clinch the IPL title in their debut season. In the very next season in IPL 2023, GT ended their near-perfect campaign as the runner-up of the event.
However, in an unexpected turn of events, the reports have flooded that Mumbai Indians (MI) have struck a magical deal to bring back all-rounder Hardik Pandya for a whopping INR 15 Crores.
Veteran cricketer R Ashwin has shared his cheeky reaction in the reports of Hardik being traded back to Mumbai Indians ahead of the IPL 2024 Auctions.
“If it’s true, Mumbai Indians have struck gold,” said R Ashwin as a response on Hardik Pandya’s trade. “So if it’s true and it is a complete cash deal from whatever I read.”
“There is no player that Mumbai Indians is giving. Mumbai Indians have never traded players, it’s very rare, I don’t think, it has happened,” he added.
If the trade is successfully closed, then the presence of Hardik Pandya would bolster Mumbai’s playing 11 to a large extent. Additionally, Hardik’s bowling abilities have seen a major improvement which would prove to be decisive in shaping up MI’s campaign in the IPL 2024.
Ashwin further added that only two times, excluding the unconfirmed Hardik Pandya trade, in the history of the IPL, the captains have been traded.
“Hardik is an MI-grown player. The team now with Pandya away from Gujarat, it’s incredible. There have been three times when captains have been traded. Me, Ajinkya Rahane and Hardik Pandya. The one difference between Pandya and us is he’s an IPL-winning captain, that completely changes the balance even for Gujarat. But that XI there looks mighty threatening,” he said.
“It will be interesting to see whether another Pandya might… oh sorry sorry,” said Ashwin jokingly.
Whether or not Hardik Pandya’s homecoming is true will be confirmed tomorrow i.e., November 26, which is officially set as the deadline to submit the list of retained and released players ahead of the IPL 2024.
For More, Check The Official Site: IPLT20
