Reports of Hardik Pandya joining his former IPL team, the Mumbai Indians, have caused a stir in the cricket world. Pandya led the Gujarat Titans to victory in their inaugural season. The entire cricket community has responded to the trade agreement, which is being referred to as the largest transfer ahead of the IPL mini-auction, which is set to take place in Dubai on December 19.
Ravichandran Ashwin, an off-spinner for the Rajasthan Royals and India, also shared his thoughts on the reported agreement, adding that if it is real, MI has struck gold because Hardik, a MI-grown talent, makes their playing XI appear threatening.
“If accurate, the Mumbai Indians have found success. Therefore, I’m assuming what I’ve read is accurate and that it’s a straight financial agreement. The Mumbai Indians have never traded any players; hence, there isn’t a single player that they are offering. I don’t believe it has ever occurred. “How does that starting lineup appear if Hardik, an established player for MI, returns?” Ashwin said this in an Instagram video.
Speaking further ahead, Ashwin said that the IPL leaders had only ever been traded three times in their existence. First, he was dealt from the Punjab Kings to the Delhi Capitals; next, Ajinkya Rahane was traded from the Rajasthan Royals to the Delhi Capitals; and finally, Pandya will be the third. Ashwin also alluded to Krunal Pandya returning to Michigan from the Lucknow Super Giants.
The fact that Hardik is an IPL champion captain, which drastically alters the dynamics even for the Gujarat Titans, is the only thing separating us from him. It will be intriguing to watch whether another Pandya manages to.. apologize. Mumbai must act immediately, though, as Hardik Pandya is a player worth $15 crore. To ensure they stay under the auction budget, they must release funds from their purse,” he continued.
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MI will need to make player releases in order to make room for Hardik Pandya on their roster.
Remarkably, at the conclusion of the most recent auction, the Mumbai Indians had just INR 5 lakh left. Their total purse will be INR 5.05 crore after they receive an additional INR 5 crore for the upcoming mini-auction. They will therefore need to surrender players worth at least INR 9.95 crore in order to make room for Hardik. The fast bowler Jofra Archer, whom they purchased for INR 8 crores in the 2022 auction, is the only player they may consider releasing.
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