Ashish Nehra expressed that Hardik Pandya’s return to Mumbai Indians didn’t come as a shock, considering Pandya’s prior association and expressed interest in rejoining the team.
Gujarat Titans’ head coach, Ashish Nehra, shared insights about Hardik Pandya’s move from the 2022 IPL-winning team to the Mumbai Indians. Pandya’s unexpected transfer stunned cricket fans after leading Titans to consecutive finals. Mumbai Indians secured funds by trading Cameron Green to Royal Challengers Bangalore and then signed Pandya before naming him the new captain.
Nehra viewed Pandya’s return to Mumbai as unsurprising due to his previous tenure and expressed that when a player desires a return, their management aligns with that sentiment.
“Hardik Pandya has not gone back to a team that has caused a huge surprise. He played for that team for so many years, he showed his desire to go back there. Our management’s nature is such that, we think if a player wants to go there, right,” Nehra said on JioCinema after IPL 2024 Auction.
“He should be happy and that’s why he has gone there again. Replacing someone like Hardik Pandya is difficult, but we tried our best. Having the size of 25 members is a luxury. We got a great all-rounder like Omarzai, we also got Shahrukh Khan. But it will be difficult to make up for somebody like Hardik who has that much talent and that much experience. It is what it is. With the resources we have, we will try and do our best,” he added.
Titans’ impressive IPL debut in 2022 secured their maiden title led by Pandya. Young talents and sidelined veterans flourished in the past seasons. Shubman Gill has been appointed as the captain for the upcoming season after their runner-up finish last year.
Last Updated on December 21, 2023
