In light of his ankle injury, all-rounder Hardik Pandya, omitted from the World Cup squad, is considering a return to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans for the next IPL. Mumbai Indians, led by Mukesh Ambani, are said to be offering a substantial Rs 15 crore in an all-cash deal, including an undisclosed transfer fee, with Pandya receiving 50% of the transfer fee, as per ESPNcricinfo.
Should the deal come to fruition, it would mark the most significant player trade in IPL history. As of now, neither franchise has confirmed the move.
Hardik Pandya, who commenced his IPL journey with Mumbai Indians, led Gujarat Titans to victory in the 2022 season, securing the ‘Player of the Match’ title in the final against Rajasthan Royals.
Back in his debut IPL season in 2015, Mumbai Indians signed Pandya for a mere Rs 10 lakh. Over his IPL career, spanning 123 matches, he has claimed 53 wickets and amassed 2,309 runs at a strike rate of 139.89.
In 2023, despite reaching the IPL final for the second consecutive year, Gujarat Titans, captained by Pandya, succumbed to a loss against Chennai Super Kings. Across both seasons, Titans topped the points table in the league stage.
During his tenure with Gujarat Titans, Pandya contributed significantly, scoring 833 runs in 30 innings at an average of 41.65 and a strike rate of 133.49. He also took 11 wickets with an economy of 8.1.
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With Pandya’s potential departure, Gujarat Titans are on the lookout for a new captain. Shubman Gill and Kane Williamson emerge as likely contenders for the leadership role in the upcoming 2024 season. Gill’s impressive performance in IPL 2023, winning the Orange Cap with 890 runs in 17 matches, positions him as a strong candidate, having achieved three centuries in the last five games of the season.
Apart from Gill, Kane Williamson, the accomplished New Zealand skipper, stands out as a world-class batsman and one of the most successful captains in international cricket. Under his leadership, New Zealand reached the finals of the 2019 World Cup and the 2021 World Test Championship. In the ICC World Cup 2023, New Zealand advanced to the semifinals but faced defeat against India.
