Former India pacer RP Singh expressed surprise at the trade discussions involving Hardik Pandya, the captain of the Gujarat Titans (GT). Pandya has been retained by GT for the mini-auction for IPL 2024.
Although GT have retained Pandya, the all-rounder is still eligible for a trade, as the trading window closes one week before the auction scheduled for December 19. Numerous reports have circulated about the potential trade of him to the five-time champion Mumbai Indians (MI) before the 2024 season.
Earlier, it was learned that MI paid INR 15 crore (approximately $1.8 million) to acquire his services. However, in the latest update, he remains with the Titans. Pandya moved from MI to the Titans in 2022.
Speaking to Jio Cinema, Singh expressed surprise at the news of Pandya being open to trade by GT, considering his performances as a captain. Hardik joined the Titans and led them to victory in their debut IPL appearance in 2022. He was also named Player of the Match in the 2022 IPL final when GT defeated the Rajasthan Royals.
"It was a surprise. For a captain who has done so well, won it once, and reached the final in his second season, It never occurred to me that something like this could happen. I was just thinking about how they could trade or release the captain," said Singh.
The all-rounder initiated his IPL journey with MI in 2015, contributing to their squad for six seasons. He also won the IPL in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. However, following a less successful season in 2021, MI released him.
In 123 IPL matches, he has scored 2309 runs with an average of 30.38 and a strike rate of 145.86, featuring 10 half-centuries. Additionally, he has taken 53 wickets, showcasing his bowling prowess consistently.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by India Today)
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