Hardik Pandya’s return to the Mumbai Indians has been creating quite a buzz. Despite leading the Gujarat Titans to an IPL title and finishing as a runner-up, he surprised everyone by switching to Mumbai Indians, a team where he began his career in 2015. This move raised questions about why he would leave a successful franchise that he had captained to two consecutive IPL finals.
In a surprising turn of events, Mumbai Indians announced Hardik Pandya as the new captain, replacing Rohit Sharma after his 11 seasons of leadership. Sunil Gavaskar, a former Bharat captain, found this move “shocking” and speculated on the reasons behind it. He acknowledged that only Hardik could provide the real answers, but he hinted that it might be related to Pandya’s growing stature as a player.
Gavaskar emphasized that Pandya had become one of the biggest names not just in Bharat cricket but in world cricket. Despite leading the Gujarat Titans to success with back-to-back finals and one title, Pandya’s decision to return to Mumbai Indians hinted at something beyond common fan understanding. Gavaskar highlighted the success story of Pandya, who was initially picked by Mumbai Indians as a raw talent and had now become a global cricketing sensation.
Hardik Pandya’s recent appointment as Bharat’s T20I captain, even unofficially, added another layer to the story. This move also dispelled rumors about Rohit Sharma returning to lead Mumbai Indians in the next year’s T20 World Cup. Reports suggested that Pandya laid down a condition for his return to Mumbai Indians – if not for captaincy, he wouldn’t come back. The team management, considering the need for a change, decided to make Pandya the captain, especially since the five-time champions haven’t secured the title in the last three seasons.
Gavaskar pointed out that another factor contributing to Hardik’s return is his strong emotional connection with Mumbai Indians. Despite the success he achieved elsewhere, Pandya has always considered Mumbai Indians as his home. Gavaskar credited the franchise for creating a wonderful family atmosphere, where even those who left have positive things to say about their experience with the team.
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