Hardik Pandya, the former captain of Gujarat Titans, has expressed his joy after a blockbuster return to Mumbai Indians for the IPL 2024 season. The star all-rounder shared a heartfelt message following his high-profile transfer during the retention window.
Pandya, renowned for his explosive batting and effective bowling, bids farewell to Gujarat Titans to rejoin the record-time winners, Mumbai Indians. The upcoming mini auction sets the stage for Pandya’s dynamic contributions in the blue and gold jersey.
Cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the thrilling moments the all-rounder is poised to deliver, adding an extra layer of excitement to the upcoming IPL season.
Hardik Pandya Exits, Titans Thrive
In the wake of Hardik Pandya’s departure from the Gujarat Titans, the franchise expressed gratitude to their former captain for two successful seasons. Debuting in the 2022 IPL season, Gujarat Titans showcased an impressive performance by securing the top spot in the league standings.
Their journey culminated in a triumphant victory as they lifted the coveted trophy by defeating the 2008 champions, Rajasthan Royals (RR), in the final. Remarkably, the Gujarat-based franchise continued their winning streak in the subsequent season, defending their title by once again finishing at the summit of the league table.
The acknowledgment of Pandya’s contributions and the team’s achievements highlights the impact of their collaboration during the fruitful stint with Gujarat Titans.
Pandya’s Titans Farewell Journey
Gujarat Titans’ Director of cricket said, “Hardik Pandya expressed his desire to return to his original franchise. We respect his decision”. pic.twitter.com/tENVgyintc
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 27, 2023
In the last season when Hardik Pandya was the leader, Gujarat Titans played in the IPL 2024 final against MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK). On Monday, Gujarat Titans officially said goodbye to Pandya, wishing him good luck in his future adventures: “Farewell and best wishes on your next journey.
Go well, HP!” After making a stunning move to Mumbai Indians, Pandya shared his feelings on X (formerly known as Twitter). He took a moment to remember the past and express his thoughts after this exciting transfer.
Hardik Pandya Mumbai Homecoming Excitement
The 30-year-old remembered how Mumbai Indians got him at a great deal. Back in the IPL 2015 auction, the five-time champions signed Pandya for just INR 10 lakh. Nostalgic about the memories, Pandya captioned his post, “This brings back so many wonderful memories. Mumbai. Wankhede. Paltan. Feels good to be back. #OneFamily @mipaltan.” Notably, Pandya’s initial statement about his return to Mumbai did not mention anything about his time with Gujarat Titans.
How Hardik performed with GT in IPL
Hardik did great with GT in the IPL. He scored 833 runs with an average of 41.65 and a strike rate of 133.49. With the ball, he took 11 wickets at an economy rate of 8.10. In the IPL 2022 final, he was the Player of the Match. After Hardik left, Shubman Gill became the captain of Gujarat Titans for IPL 2024.