IPL 2024: R Ashwin supports Hardik Pandya's homecoming to Mumbai Indians

Hardik Pandya, who led Gujarat Titans for 2 years, has been traded to Mumbai Indians ahead of the Indian Premier League 2024. However, this has been one of the biggest talking points ahead of the mini-auction, slated to take place on December 19 in UAE. But, veteran Indian spinner R Ashwin believes that Mumbai Indians will benefit significantly with his comeback.

While speaking on his YouTube channel, R Ashwin mentioned how Pandya grew as a player and as a captain in his 2-year stint with Gujarat Titans and now he will return to Mumbai Indians with a different level as well.

“They have got an Indian T20 captain who has won an IPL and become a runner-up in the last two years that he has been away. It’s like calling up your son and telling him, ‘Hey, son. Here’s some money. Go live the world. Go get an MBA degree.’ So, he went to GT, became a leader, got his MBA degree, and is coming back home,” said R Ashwin.

“MI could have just called Pandya and asked him to come back home, as he’s still their protege” – Hardik Pandya

In his two years with Gujarat Titans, Hardik Pandya led his team to the title win in their maiden IPL season in 2022 as well. The Titans also reached the finals of IPL 2023 and became runners-up after facing a loss against Chennai Super Kings in the final.

However, Pandya became India’s T20 vice-captain after his success in IPL as captain. Now, Shubman Gill has been appointed as Gujarat Titans captain as well. Ashwin also feels that the Pandya trade to Mumbai Indians was not about money but the way the franchise values him.

“So many people, after the Pandya trade, are concerned about the undisclosed money that MI might be paying him. It is not about the money, and it never will be. MI could have just called Pandya and asked him to come back home, as he’s still their protegee, irrespective of the amount of money that he would need. And Pandya would have agreed because they value him so much, ” concluded R Ashwin.