IPL 2024: Hardik Pandya Set To Be Traded To Mumbai Indians From Gujarat Titans For Rs 15 Crore - Report

IPL 2024 Trade Window: The speculations surrounding Hardik Pandya's departure from his Indian Premier League team, Gujarat Titans, and his potential return to Mumbai Indians are apparently coming to fruition.

According to reports, the all-rounder from Baroda, who captained GT in the IPL 2022 and 2023 seasons, is on track to be traded to Mumbai Indians before the conclusion of the IPL 2024 trade window on Sunday (November 26).

IPL 2024 Trade Window Deadline Date

November 26 is the same day when franchises will reveal their lists of retained and released players ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. Hardik, who led Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in their debut season, will rejoin the franchise where his IPL journey originated.

An ESPNCricinfo report suggests that Mumbai Indians will acquire the senior India cricketer in an all-cash deal for Rs 15 crore ($1.8 million approx.), ahead of the 2024 IPL player auction on December 19.

Hardik Pandya IPL 2024 Trade Finalised

If the trade materializes, it could potentially be the most significant player trade in IPL history. However, neither franchise has made any public comment on the trade. Gujarat Titans will also not take any player from Mumbai Indians in exchange.

However, the primary challenge for Mumbai Indians, the five-time champions, is to secure a sufficient purse for the trade, given that they had only Rs 0.05 crore ($6000 approx.) left after the last auction.

Franchises are set to receive an additional Rs 5 crore ($600,000 approx.) in their purse for the upcoming auction. This implies that Mumbai needs to release player(s) to facilitate the Hardik trade. IPL 2024 Auction Players List: How Many Players Have Registered Their Names In Preliminary List?

Hardik Pandya started his IPL career with Mumbai Indians, contributing to their title triumphs in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. He was released before the mega auction in 2022, leading to his inclusion by the new entrant, Gujarat Titans.

During his two seasons as captain of Gujarat Titans, Hardik led the team to one title and one runner-up finish, accumulating 833 runs and claiming 11 wickets. In addition, since taking on the leadership role with Titans, he has captained the Indian team in white-ball formats.

Although he missed the ODI World Cup 2023 due to injury, Pandya has captained the national side whenever regular skipper Rohit Sharma was unavailable and the latest rumours suggest the potential of Pandya assuming the captaincy from Rohit in Mumbai Indians.

There is a speculation even hinting at a direct swap for Rohit with Hardik. However, reports suggest that MI might find it challenging to part with the five-time title-winning skipper Rohit and could explore a swap involving England pacer Jofra Archer.

Pandya's strong rapport with the owners of Mumbai Indians and his positive experience working with Gujarat Titans coach Ashish Nehra, who is linked with the Team India job, contribute to the decision's complexity. If Nehra departs Titans for the national team job, Pandya may be tempted to make the move as well.

Nevertheless, Gujarat Titans hold sentimental value for the Baroda star, and he may choose to stay with the franchise for the final year of his three-year contract before the mega auction in 2024 leading up to the IPL 2025 season.

Recent reports also indicate uncertainty about Rohit Sharma's future in T20Is, suggesting that the Indian skipper might skip the next T20 World Cup. Any player movements are expected to be clarified by the weekend, so stay tuned for further updates.