Homecomings took center stage even before the IPL 2024 auction began, with much of the discussion revolving around Hardik Pandya’s departure from Gujarat Titans (GT), the team where he served as captain, to rejoin Mumbai Indians (MI), the franchise that initially scouted him.
The IPL 2024 auction witnessed three additional homecomings, with these players returning back to their old teams. Check out the list:
1. Shardul Thakur – Chennai Super Kings:
Chennai Super Kings successfully secured the India all-rounder in a brief bidding war, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) with a winning bid of ₹4 crore.
Shardul Thakur started his IPL journey with Punjab, moved to Rising Pune Supergiant, and later joined CSK in 2018. His four years with CSK were successful, with 55 wickets in 48 matches. Despite limited batting opportunities, his bowling skills earned him a place in the Indian team. After CSK released him in 2022, Delhi Capitals acquired him for ₹10.75 crore, and later KKR traded for the same price in 2023. Thakur’s recent performances have been more of a utility player. Both Thakur and CSK hope his return signifies a return to top form.
2. Manish Pandey – Kolkata Knight Riders:
Manish Pandey’s spectacular 94 (50) in the IPL 2014 final, leading Kolkata Knight Riders to a 200-run chase against Kings XI Punjab, propelled him into the national team. Despite subsequent domestic success, his IPL performances never fully matched that standard. Securing a ₹11 crore deal with SRH from 2018 to 2021 and later being bought by Lucknow Super Giants for ₹4.60 crore, Pandey struggled to regain his peak form.
Kolkata Knight Riders reacquired him for ₹50 lakh, banking on his leadership qualities and hoping for glimpses of his past brilliance.
3. Shreyas Gopal – Mumbai Indians:
Leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal initially found success with Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2014, showcasing his talent with six wickets in four matches. However, MI’s subsequent focus on other spinners led him to move to Rajasthan Royals in 2018. Gopal had two impressive seasons followed by three challenging ones with both Royals and SunRisers Hyderabad. Now, returning to Mumbai Indians as a seasoned Karnataka cricketer, his experience with both new and old balls in T20s may be valuable. With MI’s current spin options limited, Gopal could get opportunities to make an impact and revive his earlier success with the franchise.
