In a strategic move that caught everyone’s attention, the Mumbai Indians successfully negotiated the transfer of Hardik Pandya from the clutches of the Gujarat Titans. The trading game in the Indian Premier League took an unexpected turn as Mumbai Indians worked their magic to secure Hardik’s services. Fans were left intrigued by the details of this transfer, wondering about the behind-the-scenes discussions and the factors that led to the shift. This move not only reshapes the Mumbai Indians’ lineup but also adds a layer of excitement to the upcoming IPL season. Let’s explore the intriguing story behind Hardik Pandya’s trade.
Hardik Pandya’s time as the leader of the Gujarat Titans (GT) franchise is over as we head into the mini-auction for the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) on Monday. Mumbai Indians (MI), the team he first played for in the IPL in 2015, has snatched him up for the upcoming season. Pandya, who serves as the deputy to Rohit Sharma in Team India, is set to bring his skills to the record-holding Mumbai Indians, marking the end of his stint with the Gujarat Titans. This move adds another chapter to the dynamic all-rounder’s journey in the IPL.
The cricket sensation, known for his skills in white-ball cricket, was picked up by the IPL record-holders as an uncapped player for a cool INR 10 lakh. Pandya played a crucial role in Mumbai Indians’ victories in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. However, ahead of the big IPL 2022 auction, Mumbai Indians let him go. After leaving Mumbai, Pandya made his captaincy debut with Gujarat Titans and led them to their first-ever IPL title in 2022. His leadership played a key role in the team’s success, marking a new chapter in his IPL journey.
Securing Hardik Pandya for INR 15 Crore Cash Deal
Guided by Hardik, Gujarat Titans reached the IPL 2023 final against the champions Chennai Super Kings. Despite ongoing rumors about Pandya possibly switching to Mumbai Indians, the 30-year-old was kept by Gujarat Titans, securing his spot before the IPL retention window closed on Sunday. In the latest updates, officials from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have affirmed that Mumbai Indians sealed the deal by paying a hefty INR 15 crore in cash to bring Pandya on board for the 2024 IPL season.
Mumbai Indians Make Big Moves
To get Hardik Pandya from Gujarat, Mumbai Indians have also agreed to a cash deal, swapping Australian all-rounder Cameron Green (worth INR 17.5 crore) to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). It’s worth noting that all 10 teams can trade players until December 12. A senior BCCI official and IPL Governing Council member shared, “Yes, Hardik’s trade got done after 5 pm. It’s a formal deal, and he’s now an MI player. It’s a three-way cash deal. MI traded Cameron Green to RCB in a cash deal, giving them the funds for an all-cash deal with Gujarat Titans to bring in Hardik.
Farewell and best wishes on your next journey.
Go well, HP! #IPLRetention pic.twitter.com/awCxZzXesc— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) November 27, 2023
Mumbai Indians’ snatched Hardik Pandya
Pandya is now valued at INR 15 crore, and he’ll pocket the same amount with his new team, Mumbai Indians. The Gujarat Titans’ budget has swelled to INR 15 crore following Pandya’s departure, with his former franchise receiving an extra transfer fee from Mumbai. Pandya stands to earn up to 50% of the transfer fee from Gujarat Titans. Before bringing Pandya to MI, the Mumbai-based team let go of 11 players before the retention deadline, freeing up INR 15.25 crore in their auction budget for the 2024 IPL season.
MI brought Pandya on board in a straightforward deal as he returned to Mumbai from Gujarat. Meanwhile, RCB secured all-rounder Green from MI in a one-sided cash deal. In a separate exchange, Rajasthan Royals traded batter Devdutt Padikkal for Lucknow Super Giants’ pacer Avesh Khan in a two-way swap.
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) November 27, 2023
Record-Breaking Stats and Leadership Triumphs with Gujarat Titans
Hardik, the cricket sensation, scored a whopping 833 runs at an average of 41.65 and a striking rate of 133.49 while playing for Gujarat Titans. The local hero also managed to take 11 wickets with an economy of 8.10 for his team. In addition to clinching the trophy in his debut season as captain, Pandya was honored as the Player of the Match in the IPL 2022 final. Notably, Hardik’s team, Gujarat Titans, topped the IPL standings in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
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