The much-anticipated transfer of Hardik Pandya back to the Mumbai Indians is now finalized, as he makes the switch from the Gujarat Titans to the five-time champions in a one-way, all-cash trade.
Hardik Pandya Returns to Mumbai Indians:
Confirmation of the deal came from both franchises – Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans – on Sunday, November 26, the conclusive day for player releases and retentions leading up to the IPL 2024 auction. As previously reported, this transaction is an all-cash deal, with no player moving in the opposite direction.
5.25pm – Hardik Pandya retained by Gujarat Titans.
7.25pm – Hardik Pandya traded to Mumbai Indians.
– IPL AT ITS PEAK…!!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FquR3XFfK3
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 26, 2023
Sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and IPL have indicated that formal approval has been granted for the trade, which exclusively involves cash transactions. However, specific details about the value of the trade remain undisclosed. Notably, the 30-year-old all-rounder’s league fee for the upcoming year is set at INR 15 crore. The move is expected to significantly impact the composition of the Mumbai Indians’ squad, and fans eagerly await Hardik Pandya’s return to the team in the upcoming 2024 IPL season.
Virat Kohli & Royal Challengers Bangalore: Through Hell And High Water
In an interview with Jio Cinema, Virat Kohli disclosed that despite numerous offers from rival teams, he remained steadfast in his loyalty to Royal Challengers Bangalore, rejecting opportunities to join any competing franchise.
Also Read: Gautam Gambhir’s Homecoming: Crafting a New Era of Success for Kolkata Knight Riders
Without disclosing specific names, Virat Kohli shared that, during that period, he had conversations with another franchise that, unfortunately, did not express much interest in considering his perspectives. At the time, he found himself batting lower down the order, around the 5th or 6th position. His sentiment back then was, “If I could secure an opportunity to bat at the top of the order somewhere else…”
Interestingly, the same franchise, acknowledging Kohli’s prior contributions to the Indian team and his performances in 2011, approached him before the retention process. They asked, “Can you please come to the auction?” In response, Kohli made it clear that there was no chance of him doing so. His loyalty was unwavering as he expressed, “I will always be with the franchise that backs me.
In 2011, Virat Kohli became an integral part of RCB’s leadership group and subsequently assumed the role of the team’s full-time captain in 2013. His captaincy stint with RCB extended until 2021 when he decided to step down from the role after the IPL that year.
An exceptional aspect of Virat Kohli’s IPL career is that he stands as the sole player in the league’s history to have played for just one franchise across all 16 seasons thus far. Kohli embarked on his IPL journey with RCB in 2008 and has maintained his allegiance to the team ever since. The franchise consistently exhibited faith in Kohli’s abilities, evident when he was the sole player they retained before the IPL 2011 mega-auction. This unwavering commitment from both player and franchise underscores the unique and enduring partnership that has defined Kohli’s impressive IPL tenure with the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
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