If the question of which player Mumbai Indians missed the most in their past two editions was to be asked, the answer would simply be Hardik Pandya. The player brought a dynamic package to the field, with his explosive batting, wicket-taking bowling and athletic fielding.
The former MI player was the man to watch out for, whenever he stepped onto the field for Mumbai Indians, and it is a sight that every Paltan follower would like to see again.
Hardik Pandya to return to Mumbai Indians for IPL 2024
And what if were to tell you that you might be able to see it happen in the next edition of the IPL?
According to a report by News 18, Hardik Pandya has once again been linked with Mumbai Indians. The player is likely to be swapped between the two teams ahead of the auction for the 2024 edition of the tournament.
The players in question for the swap currently are considered to be Jofra Archer, and current Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma. However, the latter appears to be the least favourable option for the Mumbai-based franchise team.
Sharma has been a valuable asset for the team since his joining the side in 2011. He was made the captain of the side 2 years later and he ended the trophy drought at Wankhede in just 1 season.
Rohit Sharma the frontman for Mumbai Indians
In the coming years, Rohit led the team to 4 more title glories in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020 respectively. Therefore, there is little to no chance of him leaving the team. He has been a legend in the ranks and would like to end his IPL career at the very team that has been his home for more than a decade now.
Hardik Pandya on the other hand left Mumbai Indians ahead of the 2022 edition of IPL. Unable to retain the star allrounder, MI lost him to the newly introduced Gujarat Titans. And he too, just like Sharma, won the tournament in his maiden season as the captain of the side.
Hardik Pandya with Gujarat Titans
Under his leadership, GT made it to the final of the 2023 edition as well, where they were defeated by Chennai Super Kings. It was a tough-fought battle between the two teams that came down to the final ball of the match.
When all is considered, it will be interesting to see how things turn out in either camp and what changes doth happen ahead of the IPL 2024 season.
In either case, if Archer is traded to Gujarat, or Rohit Sharma moves on, Hardik Pandya might return to Mumbai Indians and will be leading the ranks as well.
Pandya has been one of the most successful captains of the Indian cricket team in the shortest format. He has captained the team in 16 matches and managed to procure 10 wins in them with 5 losses and 1 match that ended in no result.
