Always knew that it’s gonna be very difficult to get Ishan Kishan back from the auction: Hardik Pandya

Sunrisers Hyderabad spent INR 11.25 crore to buy Ishan Kishan at the IPL mega-auction 2025. Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals were in contention as well but Hyderabad placed the highest bid to acquire the service of the southpaw. Meanwhile, Kishan has gained an enormous reputation while playing for Mumbai. He has 2325 runs for the franchise and also made his international debut after doing well for the five-time champions.

Skipper Hardik Pandya revealed that Mumbai wanted to get him back but knew it would be difficult to get back the ‘pocket dynamo’. The all-rounder added that the Bihar-born brought ‘freshness’ and ‘energy’ to the room and that he has made a lot of people smile and also mentioned that he will miss him in the dressing room,

“Ishan has been the ‘freshness’ and the ‘energy’ of the room. When we couldn’t retain him, we always knew that it’s gonna be very difficult to get him back from the auction simply because we knew that, the kind of player and kind of skillset he brings. He always used to be keep the dressing room light, has made a lot of people smile,” said Hardik in a video released by Mumbai Indians.

“That love and warmth, it came very natural to him and there will be less cake smashing, less pranks happening on people. That was Ishan and who used to bring so much love to this team, that is something as a group we are going to miss. Ishan Kishan, you always be MI’s pocket dynamo. We all gonna miss you and we all love you,” he added.

The five-time champions signed Ryan Rickelton as Kishan’s replacement. The South Africa international can open with Rohit Sharma at the top of the order or else, Will Jacks can open for the franchise and it will allow them to play Robin Minz down the order.