IPL 2024: Hardik Pandya to return to Mumbai Indians? Sources say Gujarat Titans may release captain

Hardik Pandya played seven seasons with Mumbai Indians before moving to Gujarat Titans, leading them to two IPL finals, including one title win.

Hardik Pandya has won multiple IPL trophies with Mumbai Indians.

New Delhi: Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya could be on his back to Mumbai Indians as the IPL 2024 trading window comes to an end on November 26. Hardik was in the limelight during his seven seasons with Mumbai Indians before he was released after the 2021 edition. After joining Gujarat Titans, Pandya led the side to back-to-back IPL finals, including earning the trophy in their debut season.

“Yes, I can confirm that there have been talks about Hardik going to MI. There remains a chance of him switching sides but nothing more can be confirmed at this stage as the deal is yet to be signed,” an IPL source following the developments at Gujarat Titans told PTI.

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

With the IPL Governing Council increasing the purse by another Rs 5 crore, MI will enter the mini-auction with Rs 5.50 crore (an increase from the existing Rs 50 lakh purse) unless they release some of their big purchases to replenish the reserve money.

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