Two of the biggest surprises on the IPL retention day came from Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings. Mumbai Indians’ decision to not retain their star all-rounder Hardik Pandya and Punjab’s decision to let their skipper KL Rahul go was hard to digest for their respective fans.
Hardik Pandya has been a very important player for Mumbai Indians in the past and he is, despite his poor current form, one of the best all-rounders in the world. His ability to destroy bowling attacks at the last stage of an innings and win matches for his team as a finisher is exemplary, and he can turn the match around single-handedly on his day.
Former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori, who has also held the position of RCB’s head coach, has given a new angle to the entire debate by saying that Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul’s friendship might have played a big role and the decision to leave Mumbai Indians can be Pandya’s own.
“He probably feels like he has developed himself and there maybe alliances forming. That may be a factor as well. KL and Hardik are extremely close so there may be an opportunity for them to all join up with luck now,” Daniele Vettori said while talking to ESPNcricinfo.
Vettori added that we might get to see Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul playing together for the same franchise in IPL 2022, and it can be well-planned move by both the players.
“All these things in the background may be happening at the moment and we will only find out in the coming days and weeks if it comes to fruition. I think there are a lot of players trying to play together,” Daniele Vettori added.
OUR VIEW: Danielle Vettori has really given a new angle to this burning topic in Indian cricket. Although, it would be too early to say that it was a planned move by Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul, but considering how things have shaped and franchises have approached the BCCI with complaints of poaching against new franchises, we can’t rule this possibility out completely.
