'They've struck gold' - R. Ashwin reacts to reports of Hardik Pandya's transfer back to Mumbai Indians

The cricketing world has been buzzing with reports of Hardik Pandya’s transfer to his old IPL franchise, Mumbai Indians, from his current team Gujarat Titans which tasted success in their debut season under his captaincy. Several reactions have come up on the trade deal from the entire cricketing fraternity on what is being termed as the biggest transfer ahead of the IPL mini-auction scheduled to take place on December 19 in Dubai.

India and Rajasthan Royals off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has also given his thoughts on the rumoured deal saying that if the deal is true, MI has struck gold as their playing XI look formidable with Hardik’s inclusion who’s an MI-grown player.

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“If it’s true Mumbai Indians have struck gold. So if it’s true and it’s a complete cash deal from whatever I read. There’s no player that Mumbai is giving, Mumbai Indians have never given players on trade. I don’t think it has happened ever. But how does that XI look like if Hardik goes back who’s an MI grown player,” said Ashwin in a video uploaded on Instagram.

Further speaking ahead, Ashwin stated that only thrice in the history of IPL captains have been traded. The first was he himself, from Punjab Kings to Delhi Capitals while the second was Ajinkya Rahane who was traded from Rajasthan Royals to Delhi Capitals as well and now Pandya will become the third. Ashwin further hinted at transfer of Krunal Pandya back to MI from Lucknow Super Giants.

“The only difference between us and Hardik is that he’s an IPL winning captain which completely changes the balance for even Gujarat Titans. It will be interesting to see whether another Pandya might.. oh sorry sorry. But what Mumbai needs to do now is because Hardik Pandya is a 15-crore player. They have to free up their purse to make sure they come under auction budget,” he added.

MI will have to release players to accommodate Hardik into their squad

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Notably, Mumbai Indians had only INR 5 lakhs remaining at the end of the last auction. They will further get another INR 5 Crore for the upcoming mini-auction which brings their total purse to INR 5.05 crores. Hence, in order to accommodate Hardik, they will have to release players worth at least INR 9.95 crores. The one player whom they could think of releasing is fast bowler Jofra Archer whom they bought for INR 8 crores in the 2022 auction.

He further picked eight wickets from ten innings at an average of 27.75 and an economy of 7.27. Meanwhile, both MI and GT are yet to officially announce Pandya’s trade. If it turns out to be true it will be the biggest deal in the history of the cash-rich league.