Not too long ago India’s allrounder Hardik Pandya was not only India’s best allrounder but also for Mumbai Indians, he was one of the best all-rounders in the shortest format of the game, but because of regular injuries and fitness issues forced 5-time champions Mumbai Indians left with no choice than to release him before IPL 2022 mega auction.
According to the sources, Mumbai Indians were thinking of retaining Hardik, but he was not bowling either in International cricket or in the Indian Premier League. This forced Mumbai Indians to look for his replacement.
Hardik was brought by Mumbai Indians for just 10 Lakhs INR in 2015, and he was part of 4 Titles won for the Mumbai Indians. He along with his brother Krunal Pandya provided the balance for the Mumbai Indians with their all-around abilities, providing a crucial breakthrough in the middle overs and striking at the end over during the batting, while Krunal form dipped in the last 2 years but Hardik continued to be at his best with the bat.
From 2015-to 2021, Hardik has scored 1,476 runs at a strike rate of 153.91 along with claiming 42 wickets. Hardik IPL salary increases from 10 Lakhs in 2015 to 15 cr. INR in 2021, which shows his importance and abilities.
If Mumbai Indians wanted to retain him they had to retain him purely as a specialist batsman because of his back injury which continues to trouble him in the recent past. Mumbai Indians have gone for Daniel Sams and Tim David as Hardik’s replacement.
Mumbai Indians also tried to retain Ishan Kishan the dynamic left-handed batter but they were not able to convince him, this is why they retained Suryakumar Yadav as their 4th retained player along with Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kieron Pollard.
In the 2022 edition of IPL Hardik was picked in the draft by one of the new team Gujarat Titans who got Hardik at 15cr INR, and he is also set to lead his home team.
