Hardik Pandya Returns To Mumbai Indians Despite Gujarat Titans Retention: Reports

In a groundbreaking development, the star India National Cricket Team all-rounder Hardik Pandya has returned to Mumbai Indians (MI) despite being retained by the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 retention day.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 player auction will be held on December 19 in Dubai. It will be a mini-auction and for the first time, the event will be held outside India. The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction will coincide with the second ODI of India tour of South Africa 2023-24, which is scheduled for December 19 in Gqeberha.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had set November 26 as the deadline for the franchises to announce the list of their retained and released players. The teams have announced their lists but the trade window remains open until December 12.

Hardik Pandya Rejoins Mumbai Indians – Reports

Ahead of the IPL 2024 retention day, almost every major publication reported that Hardik Pandya will be moving back to the Mumbai Indians (MI).

Notably, Hardik Pandya came into the limelight following his stunning performances for MI in the IPL, but he was released by the franchise ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction.

Hardik Pandya went on to join the newcomers Gujarat Titans (GT) after getting released by Mumbai Indians (MI) and in his inaugural season as skipper, led GT to the title victory. Under his leadership, GT did well in their second as well and finished as the runners-up.

Despite all the success of Hardik Pandya at GT, it was reported that he would rejoin MI ahead of IPL 2024. When the Gujarat Titans (GT) announced their list of retained and released players, Hardik Pandya’s name was included in it and he was still the captain of the team.

However, a few hours after the announcement, Cricbuzz revealed that Hardik Pandya had indeed been traded to Mumbai Indians in a one-way all-cash trade. The franchises have signed a deal and Mumbai Indians have given no player in return to Gujarat Titans (GT). Also, the league fee of Hardik for IPL 2024 will be INR 15 crore.

“According to sources in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and IPL, a formal approval has been given for the trade, which involves only cash transactions although details of the value of the trade is not yet clear. The 30-year-old all-rounder’s league fee for the year is INR 15 crore,” Cricbuzz stated.