Star Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is close to making a return to five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians and is set to leave the Gujarat Titans, with whom he has been very successful.
The trade, which is reportedly an all-cash deal, will see the Mumbai Indians pay Rs 15 crore ($1.8 million approx.) for Hardik's salary as well as an undisclosed transfer fee to the Titans. Hardik could potentially make up to 50% of the transfer fee.
Should this trade take place, it will be a historic moment in IPL as possibly the most expensive player trade. Despite the lack of public statements from either franchise, the Mumbai Indians face the challenge of ensuring they have sufficient funds for the transfer.
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After the previous auction, Mumbai's purse was just Rs 0.05 crore ($6000 approx.). Franchises are expected to receive an additional Rs 5 crore ($600,000 approx.) for the upcoming mini-auction, prompting Mumbai to release players in order to facilitate the Hardik trade before the retention deadline on November 26 at 4 pm.
Under Hardik's captaincy, the Titans clinched the title in their debut IPL season in 2022 and reached the final again in 2023. His tenure at the Titans saw impressive individual statistics, scoring 833 runs in 30 innings with an average of 41.65 and a strike rate of 133.49, along with 11 wickets at an economy of 8.1. Currently nursing an ankle injury sustained during India's ODI World Cup campaign, Hardik has been a pivotal figure for the Titans.
If the trade unfolds, Hardik Pandya would join the ranks of R Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane as the third captain to be traded in IPL history. Titans, owned by global fund manager CVC Capital Partners, secured Hardik in their initial season in 2021, selecting three players, including Afghanistan all-rounder Rashid Khan.
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