(Image Source: X)
[Saba Sports News] Hardik Pandya expressed his thanks to the Gujarat Titans’ fans and management following his move back to the Mumbai Indians, his former Indian Premier League team. Initially retained by the Titans, Hardik’s trade to Mumbai was confirmed after the IPL retention window closed on November 26.
Hardik was selected by Gujarat from the player pool for new franchises, GT and Lucknow Super Giants, before the 2022 IPL mini-auction. As captain, he led the Titans to victory in their inaugural season and to the final again in 2023, where they were defeated by MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings in a rain-affected match in Ahmedabad.
In his message, Hardik conveyed deep appreciation for his time with the Titans: “I’m extremely grateful to the Gujarat Titans’ fans, team, and management. Leading the team was a great honor, and I cherish the support and affection received both as a player and personally. The experiences and memories with GT are very dear to me. Thank you for an unforgettable journey.”
To accommodate Hardik, Mumbai Indians traded Cameron Green to Royal Challengers Bangalore. Mumbai, led by Rohit Sharma, had previously invested INR 17.5 crore in acquiring Green. With Hardik’s return, Mumbai Indians, known for strategic team planning, seem to be eyeing him for a potential leadership role in the future.