On a day of dramatic twists and turns, Hardik Pandya returned to Mumbai Indians while Cameron Green was traded to Royal Challengers Bangalore in one-way, all-cash transactions.
Both the trades were completed an hour after the 4pm deadline for player retention on Sunday. The trading window for IPL 2024, however, is open until one week before the auction in Dubai on December 19.
Both Pandya and Green were initially listed as retained players by their original franchises, Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians, respectively. However, once certain technical aspects were resolved, the deals were given the clearance.
The IPL has approved both the all-cash trades, sources told The Telegraph. While Pandya’s fee for the year stands at Rs 15 crore, Green was traded for Rs 17.5 crore, the value at which Mumbai Indians had bought the all-rounder.
The specific transfer fees for both the players remained undisclosed.
Mumbai Indians had released 11 players by the retention deadline but still fell short of the Rs 15 crore purse needed for Pandya.
By trading Green to RCB in another all-cash deal, Mumbai Indians made up for their deficit.
Pandya had led the Titans since their debut in 2022. He helped the Titans clinch the title in their first season and was the Player of the Match in the final against Rajasthan Royals. In 2023, they finished runners-up after losing to CSK in the final.
Pandya is still recovering from the left-ankle injury he had sustained during the ODI World Cup game against Bangladesh in Pune.
Mumbai Indians were keen on Pandya since they see him as a natural successor to Rohit Sharma.
The Titans now have Rs 15 crore (Pandya’s fee) more in their purse.
Pandya’s addition should be a big boost to Mumbai Indians, especially after the disappointing seasons they have had since winning their fifth IPL crown in 2020.
The franchise released as many as 11 players, including star England pacer Jofra Archer, for whom they had shelled out Rs 8 crore at the 2022 auction.
Australian pacer Jhye Richardson and England white-ball all-rounder Chris Jordan were also among the players they have released.
Going back to the Titans, it now remains to be seen who captains the side in next year’s IPL in the absence of Pandya.
India opener Shubman Gill, who has been one of the performers in white-ball cricket this year, stands a fair chance of being handed over the responsibility.
South African David Miller, senior India quick Mohammed Shami, Matthew Wade, who is currently leading Australia in the ongoing T20I series against India, Wriddhiman Saha and the Afghan spin duo of Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad are among the Titans’ retained players.
The West Indies’ Alzarri Joseph and Odean Smith, along with keeper-batter KS Bharat and Sri Lanka all-rounder Dasun Shanaka are among the ones the Titans have released.
As for the other teams, defending champions Chennai Super Kings, as expected, have parted ways with England all-rounder and Test captain Ben Stokes, who has already opted out of next year’s IPL in order to manage his fitness and workload.
RCB, on the other hand, have released Josh Hazlewood, Wanindu Hasaranga and Harshal Patel while retaining Glenn Maxwell.
They are set to overhaul their bowling having retained left-arm quick Reece Topley, besides Mohammed Siraj.
KKR let go of Ferguson
The Kolkata Knight Riders have released 12 players while retaining two of their old-timers, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine.
Russell and Narine’s form in the recent years hasn’t been as impact-making as it was in their initial years with the Knights. But while there was speculation about if they would be let go, the Knights, who have roped in former captain Gautam Gambhir as a mentor, have chosen to keep faith in the Caribbean duo.
Among the players released, the notable names are Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, Shardul Thakur, Lockie Ferguson, Umesh Yadav and Tim Southee. Kiwi speedster Ferguson’s release is understandable as he is nursing an Achilles injury and one isn’t sure when he would be fit.
