'Son, here's some money': R Ashwin's fascinating take on Hardik Pandya trade to Mumbai Indians

Ahead of the IPL 2024 mini-auction, five-time champions Mumbai Indians were able to seal a huge deal as they brought back Gujarat Titans captain and ace Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Mumbai Indians did an INR 15 crore full cash trade deal with Gujarat Titans and had to release Australian star Cameron Green to Royal Challengers Bangalore. Green was traded to RCB for his acquired price. 

3 things you need to know 

• The IPL 2024 auction is reported to take place on December 19, 2023, in Dubai
• All ten teams have announced their released and retained players ahead of the auction
• Hardik Pandya has won four IPL titles with Mumbai Indians and one with Gujarat Titans

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R Ashwin's intriguing opinion on Hardik Pandya's trade to Mumbai Indians 

Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed Hardik Pandya's trade to Mumbai Indians and believes that he has a deep connection with the franchise. R Ashwin said on his YouTube channel: 

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. 

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After Hardik Pandya's departure from Gujarat Titans, Shubman Gill will be leading the side in the 2024 edition of the tournament. Shubman Gill was the highest run scorer in the IPL 2023 season, in which he scored 890 runs from 15 matches. 

Will Hardik Pandya replace Rohit Sharma as MI captain? 

Rohit Sharma has a deep role in the success of Mumbai Indians and has led them to five IPL titles since he took over the captaincy in 2013. However, Rohit is 36 years old and is probably in the last phase of his career. 

Mumbai Indians don't have too many names who could be the successor to Rohit Sharma as the captain of the team, which may be the primary cause of Hardik Pandya's return to the side. Both Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah have led the Indian team but they lack Hardik's level of experience. 

Although there's a chance of Hardik Pandya becoming the vice-captain of the five-time champions, Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2024, Rohit Sharma will most likely continue to lead the team for the next two to three years as he is still at the top of his game.