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In a surprising move, Gujarat Titans have retained Hardik Pandya, the star all-rounder, despite widespread reports suggesting a potential trade to the Mumbai Indians. The franchise confirmed this decision on Sunday, the retention deadline day (November 26). The speculation had intensified regarding Hardik’s move to Mumbai Indians, but the Titans have held on to their skipper. Notably, Mumbai Indians have also retained their captain, Rohit Sharma. As part of their team restructuring, the Titans have released eight players, including overseas talents Odean Smith, Alzarri Joseph, and Dasun Shanaka.
Among the Indian players released are Yash Dayal, KS Bharat, Shivam Mavi, Urvil Patel, and Pradeep Sangwan. This retention and release strategy sets the stage for an intriguing IPL 2024 auction as teams gear up for the upcoming season.
In the prelude to the 2022 mega auction, Gujarat Titans selected Hardik Pandya in the draft, a move that proved instrumental in the team’s success. Under Pandya’s leadership, the franchise secured victory in its inaugural season, triumphing over Rajasthan Royals in the final.
The team continued its impressive run in the subsequent 2023 season, making it to the title clash, only to experience a narrow defeat at the hands of Chennai Super Kings. The decision to retain Hardik Pandya indicates the franchise’s confidence in his leadership and on-field prowess as they look ahead to the challenges of the upcoming IPL season.
Amid widespread speculation about a possible return to Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of the 2024 season, Hardik Pandya, who began his IPL journey with the Mumbai-based franchise, has been retained by Gujarat Titans. Hardik’s initial stint with MI came to an end when he was released ahead of the 2022 season due to injuries that affected his career trajectory.
Opting to prioritize recovery and rehabilitation, he made a comeback to professional cricket with Gujarat Titans. The decision to retain Hardik Pandya adds a new chapter to his IPL journey, signaling the Titans’ commitment to their star all-rounder.
After a remarkable resurgence, Hardik Pandya not only made a triumphant return to the national team but also assumed the role of captain for the Indian T20I side following last year’s World Cup. As Rohit Sharma remains absent from T20Is, Hardik continues to lead the team in the shortest format.
In the 2022 IPL season, Hardik showcased his batting prowess by accumulating 487 runs in 15 matches, predominantly batting at no.3 or 4. This year, he scored 346 runs with a strike rate of 136.76. As Gujarat Titans gear up for the IPL 2024 auction, retaining Hardik Pandya reflects their confidence in his leadership and performance.
Here is the comprehensive list of players retained by Gujarat Titans ahead of the IPL 2024 auction:
Retained: Hardik Pandya, Abhinav Manohar, Mohammed Shami, Sai Sudharsan, Mohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Kane Williamson, Matthew Wade, David Miller, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tewatia, Noor Ahmad, Sai Kishore, Joshua Little, Rashid Khan.
