“It has not sunk in yet that I am finally back where my whole cricketing journey started,” Hardik says
Nagraj Gollapudi26-Nov-2023Mumbai Indians have completed the trade for Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans on Sunday, and also traded their allrounder Cameron Green to Royal Challengers Bangalore in order to increase their purse for the IPL player auction on December 19.”As the first captain of Gujarat Titans, Hardik Pandya has helped the franchise deliver two fantastic seasons that resulted in winning one IPL championship and one appearance in the final,” Titans director of cricket Vikram Solanki said in a statement. “He has now expressed a desire to return to his original team Mumbai Indians. We respect his decision and wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.”The trades were confirmed to ESPNcricinfo by a BCCI official and confirmed by the IPL on Monday.Related
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“The feeling of coming back to Mumbai is very special for a lot of reasons: how my cricketing journey started in 2015 with MI with them noticing me in 2013, you know when I look back and how my span of ten years has been something very special,” Hardik said in a video released by the franchise on Tuesday*. “It has not sunk in yet that I am finally back where my whole cricketing journey started. I have achieved all the possible things they have been the most important part of my life.”The franchise ownership group were equally excited.”We are thrilled to welcome Hardik back home! It’s a heartwarming reunion with our Mumbai Indians family,” Nita M Ambani, owner of Mumbai Indians, said. “From being a young scouted talent of Mumbai Indians to now being a team India star, Hardik has come a long way and we’re excited for what the future holds for him and Mumbai Indians!”Akash Ambani, owner of Mumbai Indians, said: “Seeing Hardik back at Mumbai Indians makes me very happy. It is a happy homecoming. He provides great balance to any team he plays. Hardik’s first stint with the MI family was hugely successful, and we hope he achieves even more success in his second stint.”While Titans’ purse will increase by INR 15 crore, which was Hardik’s salary, they will also receive from Mumbai an additional transfer fee which they will need to disclose to IPL. Hardik stands to earn up to 50% of that transfer fee from Titans based on the mutual agreement.
Watch talk about his happy homecoming, teaming up with his and resuming his journey with #MumbaiIndians #OneFamily #MumbaiMeriJaan @hardikpandya7 pic.twitter.com/sm6dXGJYCI
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) November 27, 2023