IPL 2024: Why Hardik Pandya Is Returning To Mumbai Indians? Cricketers React To Biggest Trade

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Hardik Pandya is all set to complete one of the biggest trade in IPL history with his impending return to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans getting very close to being finalized ahead of the IPL 2024 auction.

The star Indian all-rounder is reportedly very close to go back where it all started for him in IPL, having led the new franchise Gujarat Titans to a title in the inaugural season in 2022 and a runner up finish in the following season earlier this year.

According to a report from ESPNcricinfo, Pandya is set to cut ties with his current team, Gujarat Titans (GT), and return to his former franchise, Mumbai Indians in an all-cash deal.

The report further added that the Mumbai-based franchise will pay Rs 15 crore as the 30-year-old's salary and an undisclosed transfer fee to Titans with the all-rounder also receiving 50 percent of the transfer fee.

As the move gets closer, former South Africa and Royal Challengers Bangalore star AB de Villiers and current Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin of Rajasthan Royals explain why Hardik may be headed to MI.

Speaking on his official YouTube channel, the former wicketkeeper-batter De Villiers said it will cost the Mumbai-based franchise in terms of who will lead the team if Pandya returns to the squad.

"I am not sure what happened there but it looks like he is heading back to Mumbai. I think it's going to cost them a bit. I mean Rohit is the captain, we know he loves leading from the front. Will he step down and let Hardik lead, because he has got the big weight of Team India and captaining there," De Villiers said.

ABD has got a feeling that the Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma will give up his captaincy to the star allrounder. The 39-year-old also said that Rohit already carries a lot of pressure by captaining Team India.

"I have got a funny feeling Rohit is going to let him (Hardik) captain and take over the reins. Rohit carries a lot of pressure by captaining Team India as well. Maybe that is going to be the move," he added.

While the move is a blow to Gujarat Titans, the RCB legend accepted that it will be big news for the five-time IPL winners if the 30-year-old returns to his former club.

"It's a big news for Mumbai Indians. He (Hardik) was a big player for Mumbai for many years. He loved playing at the Wankhede Stadium. He won the trophy with GT and then also went to the final (next season). He probably feels his time there is done," ABD further added.

Meanwhile speaking in a video shared on his official Instagram account, Ashwin said that the Mumbai-based franchise have struck gold, but will need to now ensure they come under the auction budget.

"If it's true Mumbai Indians have struck gold. So if it's true and it's a complete cash deal from whatever I read. There's no player that Mumbai is giving, Mumbai Indians have never given players on trade," Ashwin said.

The seasoned spinner also took a look at MI's potential 11 with Hardik and the previous captains that were traded in the IPL over the years since it's inception in 2008.

"I don't think it has happened ever. But how does that XI look like if Hardik goes back who's an MI grown player. There's three times when a captain has been traded. One, yours truly, no. 2 Ajinkya Rahane and now Hardik Pandya," Ashwin pointed out some facts.

The 37-year-old opined that Mumbai may now go for another Pandya (Krunal), but warned they have to free up their purse to make sure they come under the auction budget since Pandya is a 15-crore rupees player.

"The only difference between us and Hardik is that he's an IPL-winning captain which completely changes the balance for even Gujarat Titans," Ashwin added.

"It will be interesting to see whether another Pandya might.. oh sorry sorry. But what Mumbai needs to do now is because Hardik Pandya is a 15-crore player. They have to free up their purse to make sure they come under the auction budget."