Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans have officially confirmed that Hardik Pandya will rejoin the Mumbai franchise for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), ending the speculations about his future team.
Having been a crucial part of the Mumbai team, contributing to four out of their five title victories from 2015 to 2021, Hardik moved to the Titans and led them to victory in their inaugural season in 2022. However, despite reaching the final last year, the Titans lost in the last ball.
According to reports from The Indian Express, Mumbai Indians will need to pay Hardik his annual fee of Rs 15 crore, the same amount the Titans had paid for his services during the mega auction. Another report suggested that Cameron Green, the Australian all-rounder acquired for a significant amount at the last auction, was transferred from Mumbai Indians to Royal Challengers Bangalore to facilitate Pandya’s trade.
Both franchises issued press releases on Monday, confirming Hardik’s return to Mumbai Indians. Vikram Solanki, Director of Cricket at Gujarat Titans, acknowledged Hardik’s desire to return to his original team and wished him the best for his future endeavors. The Titans have named Shubman Gill as their new captain.
Expressing excitement about Hardik’s return, Nita Ambani from Mumbai Indians welcomed him back as part of their “MI family,” highlighting his growth from a young talent scouted by Mumbai Indians to becoming a star for Team India. Akash Ambani added that Hardik’s comeback is a joyous moment and expects him to continue contributing to the team’s success.
Hardik Pandya’s return to Mumbai Indians will reinforce a team that boasts five IPL titles and already features notable players like Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Ishan Kishan.
