R Ashwin Named His MI’s Playing XI After Hardik Pandya’s Return: India all-rounder Hardik Pandya returned to Mumbai Indians on Sunday for the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after leading the Gujarat Titans for two successful seasons. This move occurred shortly after the 2022 IPL champions retained their captain, with Mumbai Indians finalizing the trade. The move is being referred to as one of the biggest trades in the history of the Indian Premier League.
The all-rounder guided the Gujarat-based franchise to victory in the 2022 season of the IPL and was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ in the final match against Rajasthan Royals. He then took the side to the finals of the IPL 2023, where the side eventually lost to MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings.
Meanwhile, amidst all the trade drama, Ravichandran Ashwin believes that Mumbai Indians have hit the jackpot with Hardik’s return. He described their lineup as highly threatening. R Ashwin went on to envision a potential Playing XI for the five-time champions with Pandya as a part of their squad.
R Ashwin Named His MI’s Playing XI After Hardik Pandya’s Return
The experienced off-spinner picked Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan as the opening batsmen, followed by Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Nehal Wadhera, Tim David, Hardik, Jasprit Bumrah, Piyush Chawla, and Akash Madhwal. R Ashwin mentioned several overseas pacers as potential contenders for the 11th spot. He referred to the XI as ‘highly threatening.’
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Earlier, Ashwin had also opened up on Hardika Pandya’s move to Mumbai Indians (MI) in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and said that if the news is true then the five-time IPL winners have struck gold. He had said:
“If it’s true 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,”
He added:
“There’s three times when a captain has been traded. One, yours truly, no. 2 Ajinkya Rahane and now Hardik Pandya,”
