The Hardik Pandya-Mumbai Indians drama is once more dominating headlines, becoming the prelude to the IPL 2024 season.
Pandya was released by Mumbai Indians ahead of the 2022 season. He won four IPL titles with Mumbai Indians.
Pandya was roped in by the Gujarat Titans as captain before IPL 2022. GT won its inaugural season and lost the final in 2023.
After his IPL success in 2022, Pandya was entrusted as India’s T20 captain against New Zealand. India won the series.
Mumbai Indians swooped in ahead of the 2024 auction to get hold of Pandya again. He was traded back in an all-cash deal worth Rs. 15 crores.
Meanwhile, India lost the 2023 World Cup final against Australia, making things difficult for captain Rohit Sharma.
Mumbai Indians named Pandya the captain for IPL 2024, ending Sharma’s decade-long reign. MI won 5 titles with Sharma.
Pandya’s elevation to captaincy did not sit well with fans. Videos of people burying their MI caps and jerseys went viral online.