Mumbai Indians have struck gold: Ashwin on Pandya's potential return to his old franchise

MI "strike gold" with potential Pandya trade; IPL trading window closes November 26. Reports suggest Pandya worth >Rs 15cr, MI not giving any players in trade. Ashwin, Rahane, Pandya are 3 captains to be traded. Pandya won 4 titles with MI, led GT to title success & runner-up in 2023. MI need to free up purse to come under auction budget and consider releasing Jofra Archer. IPL Governing Council increased purse by ₹5cr, MI have ₹5.50cr (up from ₹50 lakh).

If there is any truth to the chatter around Hardik Pandya shifting base to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans, then the five-time IPL champions have "struck gold", India off-spinner R Ashwin said.

With the IPL trading window concluding on November 26, reports have indicated that Pandya could be returning to MI in an all-cash trade with GT, as the 30-year-old is expected to be worth more than Rs 15 crore.

"If it's true, Mumbai Indians have struck gold. So, it's a complete cash deal from whatever I read. There's no player that Mumbai is giving," Ashwin said in a video he shared on his Instagram account.

"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? "There's three times when a captain has been traded. One, yours truly, No. 2 Ajinkya Rahane and now Hardik Pandya."

Pandya began his Indian Premier League career with MI in 2015 and was a part of the side until 2021. He won four titles with Mumbai Indians.

Following the inclusion of GT into the competition in 2022, he was picked up by the Ahmedabad-based franchise and was also made the captain of the side.

He led GT to title success in their debut season and helped them finish as the runner-up in IPL 2023.