Hardik Pandya becomes first title-winning captain in IPL history to get TRADED to another franchise

At first he was retained by Gujarat Titans (GT), the team he led to victory when they played their first season in 2022.

Hardik Pandya becomes first title-winning captain in IPL history to get TRADED to another franchise

Hardik Pandya (Image via X)

On Sunday (November 26), all 10 franchises of the Indian Premier League (IPL) announced the list of released and retained players. An announcement was also made that the mini-auction for the 17th edition of the cash-rich league will be held on December 19 in Dubai, UAE.

As expected, MS Dhoni will play in another season for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Delhi Capitals (DC) retained Rishabh Pant, who may return to competitive cricket next year.

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Harry Brook was released from Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), while Mumbai Indians (MI) let go of Jofra Archer. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul were retained by their old franchises.

There was considerable buzz surrounding Hardik Pandya. At first he was retained by Gujarat Titans (GT), the team he led to victory when they played their first season in 2022.

GT retains Hardik Pandya but a few moments later trade him to MI

If rumors are to be believed, Hardik Pandya had some differences with GT and after the conclusion of IPL 2023, he was in talks with MI. GT want to trade Pandya and in return, they would get Rs 15 crore. But Pandya got retained by GT to quash all the rumors of a transfer; but a few moments later, he was traded to MI.

Hardik Pandya mI GT
Hardik Pandya (Image via X)

Previously, GT retained Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, and David Miller. However, the window for franchises to retain players is still open and it will come to an end on December 12. Those players who haven’t been released into the auction pool can still be traded.

Fans started believing that trading would be done in the near future if MI and GT agreed to the trade deals. But now, Pandya will join MI and the franchise is likely to have an all-rounder as captain after Rohit Sharma. It is also for the first time in the history of the IPL in which a title-winning captain got traded to another franchise.

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