Ashwin also stated that Pandya's move to Mumbai Indians (MI) from Gujarat Titans (GT) isn't money motivated
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who led IPL franchise Gujarat Titans for years, has been traded to Mumbai Indians ahead of the Indian Premier League 2024. The trade has been one of the most talked-about news in the cricketing fraternity as all players look ahead to the much-awaited IPL mini-auction, to be held in Dubai on December 19 in UAE. (Cricket News | Match Blog)
Fellow India teammate and veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin states that Mumbai Indians will benefit from Pandya's comeback to the franchise.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin mentioned how Pandya has grown as a player and as a leader too thanks to his 2-year stint with Gujarat Titans where he also won an IPL title in his first season.
"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," said Ashwin.
In his first two maiden seasons with GT, Pandya won a title (2022) and finished as runners-up in the IPL 2023 to Chennai Super Kings.
Thanks to his success with GT, Pandya was made Team India's vice-captain. However, thanks to his exit, Shubman Gill is all set to takeover from the all-rounder and lead the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2024.
Ashwin further stated that Pandya wasn't motivated by money to come to MI. He thinks that Pandya's return to Mumbai is purely down to how the club values him.
"So many people, after the Pandya trade, are concerned about the undisclosed money that MI might be paying him. It is not about the money, and it never will be. MI could have just called Pandya and asked him to come back home, as he's still their protegee, irrespective of the amount of money that he would need. And Pandya would have agreed because they value him so much, " said Ashwin.
Hardik Pandya's connection with Mumbai Indians goes back to his 10 lakh rupees purchase back in 2015. Since then, he won four IPL titles with the franchise namely in 2015. 2017, 2019 and 2020.