The protracted drama of Hardik Pandya’s trade has finally ended with an agreement to bring him back to the Mumbai Indians (MI) from the Gujarat Titans (GT) ahead of the IPL 2024 auction.
The trade speculations had first shook the cricketing world, and the bewilderment only grew when Hardik was listed in GT’s retentions. With the trade window still open, MI sent Cameron Green to the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and welcomed Hardik back to where it all started for the all-rounder.
Naturally, there have been different views to this entire situation, and several cricket experts have spoken out freely about how they felt about the Hardik Pandya transaction. Here are five such reaction:
5. Aakash Chopra
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra was perplexed by Hardik’s ambition to return to the Mumbai Indians. He says the all-rounder quit the team in 2021 because he desired to be captain.
He stated in a video posted to his YouTube page:
“The one thing that won’t look good on Hardik’s CV is that he left Mumbai because he wanted to become a captain. You went to Gujarat and then became the Indian captain. You will no longer be a franchise captain now but you still want to be India’s captain – it doesn’t sit right.
“It doesn’t look right whether you look from optics or any other angle, that you are not your franchise’s captain but are India’s captain in the T20 World Cup. It doesn’t sound right but so be it.”
Aakash Chopra
With Hardik expected to skipper India in the T20 World Cup, Chopra couldn’t understand why the all-rounder wouldn’t want to stay as captain and not play with Rohit Sharma.
4. Tom Moody
Former Australian cricketer Tom Moody, on the other hand, was thrilled with how Mumbai jumped in to finalize Hardik Pandya’s deal. He revealed how MI ensured they moved Cameron Green and received more monies to strengthen their team further in the auction.
This is what Moody said on X:
“Last minute trade for Mumbai Indians allows them to secure @hardikpandya7, master stoke. Green going to @RCBTweets frees up the cash to secure the dream trade. Out of the 3 franchises involved feel Titans have come off the worst. #IPLretention”
Tom Moody
Shubman Gill has been named GT’s captain following the departure of Hardik Pandya ahead of the IPL 2024 season.
3. K Srikkanth
Former Indian top selector and World Cup champion K Srikkanth feels the Mumbai Indians have struck gold by re-signing Hardik Pandya ahead of the IPL 2024 season.
Srikkanth also denied claims that Rohit Sharma will leave the franchise owing to Hardik Pandya’s comeback, claiming that the transition will be simple with the all-rounder as the next MI captain.
On his YouTube channel, he mentioned the following:
“At the end of the day, Rohit and Hardik share a wonderful relationship. Obviously, they will make Hardik Pandya the captain. Rohit Sharma will be a key figure and ensure a smooth transition. You need a smooth transition to avoid hiccups in the team.”
K Srikkanth
Srikkanth referenced the example of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli’s connection in ensuring a seamless leadership transfer in the Indian squad and wants MI to do the same.
2. Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin feels MI pulled off a masterstroke by acquiring Hardik Pandya. Ashwin also praised MI for not giving GT any players in exchange and for doing an all-cash trade.
In a video posted to his Instagram account, he stated:
“If it’s true Mumbai Indians have struck gold. So if it’s true and it’s a complete cash deal from whatever I read. There’s no player that Mumbai is giving, Mumbai Indians have never given players on trade. I don’t think it has happened ever. But how does that XI look like if Hardik goes back who’s an MI grown player.”
Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin was a captain who was moved from Kings XI Punjab to the Delhi Capitals before of the 2020 IPL season.
1. AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers believes MI would name Hardik Pandya as captain and that Rohit Sharma will gladly play as a pure hitter under him. With Rohit still serving as Team India’s official all-format captain, De Villiers believes Hardik taking over at MI will only help the veteran opener play freely.
In a live broadcast on his YouTube account, the renowned South African cricketer said the following:
“I have a funny feeling Rohit is going to let him (Hardik) captain. Rohit carries a lot of pressure of captaining Team India. Maybe that is going to be the move. It’s a big news for Mumbai Indians. He (Hardik) was a big player for Mumbai for many years. He loved playing at the Wankhede Stadium.”
AB de Villiers
De Villiers believes Pandya just desired a fresh challenge, which is why he was willing to quit GT.