NEW DELHI: World number one Test bowler Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his thoughts on the potential move of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya to Mumbai Indians in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
In a video shared on his official Instagram account, Ashwin suggested that if the news is true, the five-time IPL winners have "struck gold."
"Mumbai Indians have struck gold. So if it's true and it's a complete cash deal from whatever I read. There's no player that Mumbai is giving, Mumbai Indians have never given players on trade. I don't think it has happened ever. But how does that XI look like if Hardik goes back who's an MI grown player," Ashwin remarked in the video.
"There's three times when a captain has been traded. One, yours truly, no. 2 Ajinkya Rahane and now Hardik Pandya," Ashwin pointed out some facts.
Hardik led the Gujarat Titans to victory in the 2022 IPL season and was named the 'Player of the Match' in the final against Rajasthan Royals.
Ashwin pointed out the need for Mumbai Indians to free up their purse to accommodate Pandya's significant 15-crore rupees player salary. Ashwin humorously suggested that Mumbai Indians must ensure they come under the auction budget.
"The only difference between us and Hardik is that he's an IPL-winning captain which completely changes the balance for even Gujarat Titans. It will be interesting to see whether another Pandya might.. oh sorry sorry. But what Mumbai needs to do now is because Hardik Pandya is a 15-crore player. They have to free up their purse to make sure they come under the auction budget," Ashwin concluded.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the reported trade involves Mumbai Indians paying 15 crore rupees as Pandya's salary and an undisclosed transfer fee to Gujarat Titans. Hardik Pandya, in turn, stands to earn up to 50% of the transfer fee. If the move materialises, it would be considered the biggest player trade in IPL history. As of now, neither franchise has officially confirmed the trade.
(With inputs from ANI)
