All-rounder Hardik Pandya is all set to join his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Mumbai Indians, after arriving from Dubai following India's unbeaten title-winning run in the Champions Trophy, where they defeated New Zealand in the final to lift the trophy.
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MI announced the arrival of their captain with a social media post on Tuesday. "The GUN has arrived," read the caption in the post that had Pandya showing his swag in a casual outfit.
The 31-year-old demonstrated his versatility during the Champions Trophy, making a crucial contribution to India's triumph with his bowling and batting. His presence as the second pacer and a finisher at number seven in the batting line-up allowed India to play with four spinners in the playing eleven.
Pandya's next assignment will be leading Mumbai Indians in the upcoming IPL season.
The 2024 IPL season marked Pandya's debut as Mumbai Indians' skipper, but the results were disappointing with the team securing only four victories in 14 matches, placing them at the bottom of the table.
MI's preparation, meanwhile, commenced with an intensive training session on Monday, led by head coach Mahela Jayawardene alongside coaching staff members Paras Mhambrey and Lasith Malinga (bowling coaches), J. Arun Kumar (assistant batting coach) and Carl Hopkinson (fielding coach).
"A new season to start things fresh. New faces in the coaching team who bring decades of high-performance experience that gives players so much information and knowledge to feed off," said Jayawardene. "Pre-season is always exciting but it’s the intensity that is paramount and that’s what we want to establish today and take it forward."
Pandya will be absent from MI's season opener against Chennai Super Kings on March 23, serving a one-match suspension incurred during the previous season's conclusion. This penalty was imposed as per IPL regulations, after his team committed three over-rate breaches during IPL 2024.
