Hardik Pandya, India’s T20I captain, made a major return to the Mumbai Indians after an all-cash deal trade-off with Gujarat Titans was officially completed following a dramatic 72-hour period. The IPL retention window closed on Sunday at 5 pm, with Gujarat Titans including their IPL-winning captain in the retention list, which surprised many.
However, it was later revealed that the formal paperwork had not been completed, and neither the IPL nor the BCCI had approved the anticipated transfer move.
The deal was eventually formalized after 5 pm, with a senior BCCI official and IPL Governing Council member confirming that MI had traded their all-rounder Cameron Green to RCB in an all-cash deal, providing the necessary funds to secure Hardik’s services.
Pandya was initially picked by Gujarat Titans before the 2022 auction and led the team to consecutive finals, winning the championship in their debut year and narrowly losing to CSK in 2023.
Mumbai Indians, known for their systematic team-building process, have a long-term plan in mind for Pandya, especially with a mega auction scheduled for 2025. However, with Rohit Sharma still a key figure as India’s ODI and Test captain, the franchise’s decision regarding team leadership remains uncertain.
Those familiar with the situation suspected that Pandya, after two years with the Titans, wanted to return to the franchise where he made a name for himself. The opportunity to captain IPL’s most popular franchise with the largest fan base, in addition to building his brand as a national skipper, was likely another incentive for Pandya’s move.
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