As the deadline for trading and retention in the Indian Premier League (IPL) draws to a close, there's a buzz of activity among the teams regarding player trades. A significant development is the potential trade of Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans to Mumbai Indians, a move that has surprised many fans. Reports suggest that Pandya could join Mumbai Indians for a whopping 15 crores.
According to a report in Cricbuzz, Sunrisers Hyderabad has swapped Mayank Dagar, nephew of cricket legend Virender Sehwag, with Royal Challengers Bangalore. In exchange, they have acquired spinner Shahbaz Ahmed. 27-year-old Dagar, hailing from Delhi, was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad last year for 1.8 crores. Shahbaz, a 28-year-old all-rounder from Bengal, was purchased in the 2022 auction for 2.4 crores.
Dagar's performance for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the last season was not particularly noteworthy. He played three matches without significant impact. On the other hand, Shahbaz played 10 matches for RCB in the previous season but failed to make a remarkable impression. Official confirmation of this trade is expected to be announced by the BCCI by Saturday night or Sunday morning.
There are also rumors that RCB might trade Wanindu Hasaranga and Harshal Patel, though there's no official confirmation yet. A decision is expected to be made soon. The strategy of Sunrisers Hyderabad, under new coach Daniel Vettori, is not fully clear at this stage. It is uncertain whether they will retain or release Harry Brook.
Brook, who was bought for 13.25 crores, scored 190 runs in 11 matches last season, including an unbeaten century. There's speculation that he might be retained by the Sunrisers, especially considering that he will be playing in India during the England-India Test series scheduled for February-March, and could seamlessly transition into the IPL season.
The IPL's trading and retention window is always a time of high anticipation and strategic maneuvering, with teams looking to strengthen their squads for the upcoming season. The potential trades of high-profile players like Pandya, Dagar, and Shahbaz Ahmed, and the uncertain futures of international stars like Brook, add to the intrigue and excitement surrounding the preparations for the next IPL season.
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