Hardik Pandya set to cut ties with Gujarat Titans, to return to Mumbai Indians
PTC News Desk: Hardik Pandya is set to leave his current team, Gujarat Titans (GT), and return to his former franchise, Mumbai Indians, for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), according to ESPNcricinfo.
The deal is all cash, with the Mumbai-based franchise paying the 30-year-old's salary and Titans receiving an undisclosed transfer fee. According to ESPNcricinfo, Hardik could earn up to 50% of the transfer fee.
If the move is successful, it will be the largest player trade in IPL history. Neither franchise has made it official as of yet.
The all-rounder led the Gujarat-based franchise to the IPL 2022 title and was named 'Player of the Match' in the final game against the Rajasthan Royals.
GT confirmed their place in the IPL final for the second time in their first two seasons in the previous edition of the IPL. However, they were runners-up in 2023 after losing to the Chennai Super Kings.
If the trade goes through, the 30-year-old will become the third skipper to be traded, following Ravichandran Ashwin from Punjab Kings to Delhi Capitals. The second time was in 2020 when the Rajasthan Royals traded Ajinkya Rahane to the Capitals.
- With inputs from agencies
