Not new to the limelight is Hardik Pandya. Whenever he steps onto the cricket pitch, whether he is playing for India or the Indian Premier League (IPL), there is an air of anticipation. He has experienced rummy nabob more than his fair share of injury setbacks in his eight years of international competition. However, he has always made it a point to return more formidable. For the forthcoming IPL 2024, which begins on Friday, he is expected to do similarly.
On the other hand, Pandya would not be in the spotlight as much. Not to mention the fact that he returned after a five-month absence. His return to the Mumbai Indians, this time as a captain, is actually a bigger factor. After two successful seasons with the Gujarat Titans, the daring all-round player who began his IPL career with MI back in 2015 will be rejoining the team.
After leading GT rummy gold to the finals the previous year, Pandya guided them to their first IPL triumph in IPL 2022. However, before this year’s IPL auction, Pandya was moved to MI under shocking circumstances. He replaced IPL’s joint-most successful captain, Rohit Sharma, who has five titles to his name, as captain of MI in an even more surprising move.
While Rohit remains a member of MI, he will not be participating as a player for almost ten years. Pandya still competes for Team India under Rohit’s leadership, which adds to the complexity of things. What are the expected reactions of Pandya and Rohit? How will this move be seen by rummy modern?
Pandya is aware of the work ahead of him. He consequently aspires to play cricket in a way that will live on in the memory.
«I get a really unique vibe when I wear this color. The franchise released a video on social media featuring Pandya saying, «The journey began here, coming back home and playing is always going to be special.»
«We will make sure we will play a brand of cricket which all will be proud of and at the same point of time it’s going to be a ride no one will forget.»