'Masterstroke': Former IPL-winning coach describes Hardik Pandya transfer as a 'dream trade'

As all the IPL teams have announced their retained and released players ahead of the IPL 2024 mini-auction, Mumbai Indians were able to bring back star all-rounder Hardik Pandya for a massive all-cash INR 15 crore trade deal from Gujarat Titans. In return, MI had to release Cameron Green, who had been traded to Royal Challengers Bangalore. Green was picked up by the five-time IPL champions for INR 16 crore in the IPL 2023 auction. 

3 things you need to know 

• Hardik Pandya led Gujarat Titans to maiden IPL title in their debut season 
• Pandya was the Titans' leading run scorer in IPL 2022 and scored 487 runs from 15 games 
• Hardik-led Gujarat Titans qualified for the second consecutive IPL final but lost to CSK in 2023 

ALSO READ | How much money has Hardik Pandya milked in his 8-year-long IPL career?

Tom Moody considers Hardik Pandya's arrival to Mumbai Indians as a ‘masterstroke’

Former Sunrisers Hyderabad coach Tom Moody, who won the IPL title with the franchise in 2016, has called Mumbai Indians' move to bring back Hardik Pandya a ‘masterstroke’. Tom Moody wrote in his tweet: 

Hardik Pandya began his IPL career with Mumbai Indians in the year 2015 as he was picked up by the franchise for a base price of INR 10 lakh. Pandya was not able to perform as per his calibre in the first two editions of the IPL, but the Vadodara all-rounder went big in IPL 2017 and scored 256 runs at a strike of 156.25. 

ALSO READ | 'It doesn't sit right': Former India opener's daring verdict on Hardik Pandya's MI homecoming

What to expect from the IPL 2024 mini auction? 

The IPL 2024 mini-auction is reported to be held in Dubai on December 19 and many new international names such as Rachin Ravindra, Gerald Coetzee, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Rahmat Shah and many more names can get an IPL contract. These players shined in the recently concluded ODI World Cup which will be the main reason that they might attract buyers in the upcoming IPL auction.