IPL Trade:Although Team India star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is currently sidelined and his return is awaited, he remains constantly in the news. Speculation regarding Hardik leaving Mumbai Indians has been rife since the conclusion of the IPL 2026 season, with rumors circulating about potential trades with various franchises.
However, amidst this chatter, a surprising revelation has emerged. According to a report, Hardik Pandya had considered returning to his former franchise, Gujarat Titans, but a condition regarding the captaincy caused the deal to fall through.
Insistence on Captaincy Scuttles Deal
A major claim has been made in a report by the English newspaper *The Indian Express*. According to the report, Hardik had recently held discussions regarding a return to the Gujarat Titans (GT).
Citing sources, the report states that the Gujarat Titans were willing to bring back their former captain; discussions regarding this had even taken place with current captain Shubman Gill, who had no objection to the star all-rounder's return.
However, according to reports, Hardik wanted to captain the Gujarat Titans once again and placed this condition before the team's management. This single condition ultimately scuttled the entire deal.
Everyone at Gujarat Titans unanimously rejected this condition, dashing Hardik's hopes of returning to what he considered his "second home." Consequently, speculation regarding a potential trade for Hardik is set to continue. That said, a spokesperson for Hardik Pandya has denied any such deal being discussed.
Hardik captained GT for two consecutive seasons
Hardik Pandya became the captain of the Gujarat Titans in 2022. The team made its IPL debut under his leadership and won the championship in its very first season. They also reached the final in the following season.
However, in a move that took everyone by surprise, Hardik Pandya subsequently returned to the Mumbai Indians and took over as captain for the 2024 season. Yet, this return proved unsuccessful, as he failed to lead the team to the title over three consecutive seasons.
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