IPL 2024: Hardik Pandya To Return To Mumbai Indians? Sources Says Gujarat Titans May Release Captain

New Delhi: Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya could be on his way back to Mumbai Indians as the IPL 2024 trading window comes to a close on November 26. Hardik grabbed the limelight during his seven seasons at Rohit Sharma-Mumbai Indians before being released after the 2021 edition. After joining Gujarat Titans, Pandya led the side to back-to-back IPL finals, including earning them the trophy in their debut season.

“Yes, I can confirm that there has been talks of Hardik going to MI. There remains a chance that he might switch sides but at this moment, nothing more can be confirmed as of now as the deal is yet to be signed,” an IPL source tracking developments in Gujarat Titans told PTI.

Since trading involves swapping of players, it is still not clear that if Pandya returns to Mumbai Indians fold, who could switch over to the Titans. There is no confirmation yet from the five-time champions whether they have decided to release their Rs 8 crore mega buy Jofra Archer, who has been injured for the better part of the last two seasons.

With the IPL Governing Council increasing the purse by an additional Rs 5 crore, MI go into the mini-auction with Rs 5.50 crore (up from the existing Rs 50 lakh purse) unless they release some of their big buys to swell the reserve money.

If Pandya finally signs up for Mumbai Indians on dotted lines, the big question remains is whether he is going to play under iconic Rohit Sharma, who has led the side to five trophies and has been in prime form. These are the questions that remain unanswered for now and the picture will only be clear once BCCI officially announces the final trading list.