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[Saba Sports News] News about Hardik Pandya’s anticipated return to his original team, Mumbai Indians, before the IPL mini auction is rapidly circulating in the cricket community. The notable all-rounder, who joined the recently established Gujarat Titans in 2022 when Mumbai Indians didn’t keep him, successfully led the team in their first season. Now, at age 30, Pandya has reportedly chosen to go back to the team where his cricket journey began.
In light of these rumors, Indian cricket team and Rajasthan Royals’ off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, believes that Mumbai Indians will greatly benefit from Pandya’s comeback, describing their lineup as highly formidable. Ashwin has even envisioned a potential Playing XI for the team, now including Pandya, and labelled it as ‘mighty threatening’.
This speculative XI by Ashwin features Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan opening, with Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Nehal Wadhera, Tim David, Hardik, Jasprit Bumrah, Piyush Chawla, and Akash Madhwal following. He also suggested several international pacers as possible picks for the final spot.
Reports indicate that Pandya’s transfer is a significant cash transaction, with Mumbai Indians expected to pay INR 15 crore for his salary and a confidential transfer fee to Gujarat. Should this deal materialize, Pandya will be the third captain in IPL history to be traded, following Ashwin’s 2019 move from Punjab Kings to Delhi Capitals and Ajinkya Rahane’s transfer from Rajasthan Royals to Delhi Capitals in the same year.