Hardik Pandya
Mumbai Indians captain, Hardik Pandya, is reportedly at risk of missing the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season due to an ankle injury, as confirmed by sources on Saturday. This development follows Hardik’s trade to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans ahead of the IPL players’ auction. Initially named in the retention list by Gujarat Titans, he was later traded to Mumbai Indians in an all-cash deal.
Sources have disclosed that Hardik will be absent from the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan, raising uncertainties about his participation in the forthcoming IPL season. The all-rounder has been sidelined since sustaining an ankle injury during a World Cup match against Bangladesh in Pune.
After the announcement of Hardik’s trade, Mumbai Indians declared him as the captain for the upcoming IPL season, replacing long-serving captain Rohit Sharma. Hardik, who had previously played seven seasons for Mumbai Indians, joined Gujarat Titans and led the team to consecutive IPL finals, winning the trophy in their debut season.
Hardik’s absence will be a significant setback for both Team India and Mumbai Indians. The all-rounder missed the recently concluded white-ball leg of the South Africa tour and the T20I series against Australia. In his absence, Suryakumar Yadav led India to a 4-1 series win over Australia, while the T20I series ended in a draw.
During the IPL auction, Mumbai Indians bolstered their squad with acquisitions such as South African pacer Gerald Coetzee, Sri Lankan pacers Dilshan Madushanka and Nuwan Thushara, and Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi.
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Mumbai Indians Retained Players:
– Rohit Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, N. Tilak Varma, Tim David, Vishnu Vinod, Arjun Tendulkar, Shams Mulani, Nehal Wadhera, Jasprit Bumrah, Kumar Kartikeya, Piyush Chawla, Akash Madhwal, Jason Behrendorff, Romario Shepherd (from LSG), Hardik Pandya (C)
Mumbai Indians Players Bought at IPL 2024 Auction:
– Gerald Coetzee (Rs. 5 crore), Dilshan Madushanka (Rs. 4.60 crore), Shreyas Gopal (Rs. 20 lakh), Nuwan Thushara (Rs. 4.80 crore), Naman Dhir (Rs. 20 lakh), Anshul Kamboj (Rs. 20 lakh), Mohammad Nabi (Rs. 1.5 crore), Shivalik Sharma (Rs. 20 lakh)
