Reports of Hardik Pandya returning to the Mumbai Indians (MI) have sparked excitement in the cricketing world ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. After only two seasons with the Gujarat Titans (GT), the skipper is apparently going to return to the squad where it all began for him.
Hardik won four IPL titles in seven seasons with MI, and it was undoubtedly the most difficult choice for the team to let him go ahead of the IPL 2022 big auction. However, just getting the outstanding all-rounder back will be a huge coup since Hardik adds to the team’s balance.
Apart from his explosive hitting, Hardik Pandya has always had an incredible wicket-taking ability, which has helped him step up with the ball for the Mumbai Indians. On that topic, here are three of Hardik Pandya’s greatest spells in Blue and Gold:
3. 3/28 vs RCB, Bengaluru, May 1, 2018
Manan Voha’s quickfire 45 provided the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) a superb start against MI at home. Hardik Pandya, on the other hand, initially assisted in the critical run-out of Brendon McCullum before taking the wickets of Virat Kohli, Mandeep Singh, and Washington Sundar.
Despite an excellent start, Hardik’s stats of 3/28 meant that RCB did not reach a big total. MI’s pursuit never really got going, despite being 47/4 at one point. Hardik and Krunal Pandya then formed a key partnership to keep them in the game, with the former reaching a half-century. However, it was a little too much, as they were defeated by 14 runs.
2. 3/24 vs CSK, Mumbai, April 7, 2018
In another game from the same IPL season, Hardik Pandya came through in a disheartening loss for MI. Hardik was treated after colliding with the bowler on the penultimate ball of Mumbai’s innings. However, the manner he returned to the game with the ball was deserving of all the acclaim.
He took the important wickets of Shane Watson and Suresh Raina, and he also came back late to eliminate Mark Wood. Only Dwayne Bravo’s magnificent batting effort proved the difference between the teams, allowing Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to win by one wicket and one ball to spare.
1. 3/20 vs CSK, Mumbai, April 3, 2019
When Hardik Pandya had a good day at the crease, his confidence seemed to transfer to his bowling, which is precisely what occurred against CSK in Wankhede during IPL 2019. Hardik struck 25* from just eight balls, including three sixes and a boundary.
While Chennai may have hoped to chase down the mark of 171, Hardik stepped up with the ball, pulling up figures of 3/20. As the Men in Yellow could only produce 133/8 in reply, he removed MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, and Deepak Chahar.
