Hardik Pandya, the dynamic all-rounder, has witnessed a remarkable journey in the Indian Premier League (IPL), not only in terms of his on-field performances but also in the transformation of his IPL salary. Let’s delve into the evolution of Hardik Pandya’s IPL salary over the years.
From Mumbai to Gujarat and Back: The Trade
Hardik Pandya, a seasoned player with a legacy at Mumbai Indians (MI), has made a significant move back to his old franchise. Ahead of the IPL 2024, he has been traded from Gujarat Titans (GT) to Mumbai Indians in an all-cash deal, with MI shelling out a hefty sum of INR 15 crore to secure his services. This trade completes a full circle for Pandya, who was initially discovered by MI’s talent development wing and bought for his base price of INR 10 lakh in the 2015 auction.
The Early Seasons: 2015-2017
In the initial two seasons (2015 and 2016), Pandya’s impact was modest, with a consistent base price of INR 10 lakh. However, the turning point came in the 2017 season, where he showcased his prowess by scoring 250 runs at an impressive average of 35.71 and a striking rate of 156.25. His valuable all-round contributions led to MI retaining him for a significant sum of INR 11 crore ahead of the 2018 mega auction.
Breakthrough Seasons: 2018-2019
The subsequent seasons (2018 and 2019) marked Hardik Pandya’s breakthrough, where he not only excelled with the bat, amassing 260 and 402 runs respectively, but also showcased his bowling skills, taking a total of 32 wickets. This stellar performance solidified his status as a complete all-rounder in the IPL.
Ups and Downs: 2020-2022
After being retained for three consecutive seasons, Pandya faced a release by MI ahead of the 2021 edition. However, he was swiftly bought back for INR 11 crore. Unfortunately, the 2021 season didn’t live up to expectations, with Pandya managing only 127 runs from 12 matches. Consequently, he was released once again before the mega auction in 2022.
Gujarat Titans Captaincy and Triumph: 2022-2023
In a surprising turn of events, Pandya found himself leading the newly-formed IPL franchise, Gujarat Titans, for a whopping INR 15 crore. This move proved to be a game-changer as Pandya captained Gujarat to an IPL triumph in their debut season. His stellar performance included scoring 487 runs from 15 matches and picking up eight wickets.
Return to Mumbai Indians: 2024
After guiding GT to back-to-back IPL finals, Hardik Pandya has returned to Mumbai Indians, aiming to uphold the legacy set by Rohit Sharma.
Summary of Hardik Pandya’s IPL Salary
- 2015-2017: INR 10 Lakh
- 2018-2021: INR 11 Crore
- 2022-2023: INR 15 Crore
The journey of Hardik Pandya’s IPL salary reflects not just financial milestones but a narrative of growth, challenges, and triumphs in the world of Indian Premier League cricket.
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