What the trade means for MI

Pandya’s return to MI is being billed as a homecoming and it lends the five-time champions the balance they lacked

- Rasesh Mandani

With the exception of Hardik Pandya, it's difficult to find an Indian cricketer who can swing the new ball, hit hard lengths in the middle, guarantee a full bowling quota, anchor the batting at No 4; or when required, bat down the order, go deep inside the crease and send the ball sailing into the stands. Not just that, with proven IPL captainship credentials, also ead the Indian team in T20 cricket.

Even on the current IPL canvas where the Impact player rule has somewhat diluted the value of an all-rounder, Pandya remains a high-end stock. It was a fact that he knew and it allowed him to get the best deal for himself. If that meant moving away from Gujarat Titans, a franchise where he revived his white-ball career, so be it.

GT should know. Speaking in his deep voice for a GT promo which was released when he was appointed captain, Pandya would say, he was chasing the peak called 'sporting success'; a journey which would sometimes pit him against 'siblings, soulmates and many close friends'.

Pandya is a Mumbai Indian again. Their scouts had identified him like a multibagger stock, before he was picked up in the 2015 auction for a base price of Rs 10 lakhs. Pandya's return is being billed as a homecoming. But who is to judge, if Pandya's here to boost his emotional quotient. The star all-rounder sees a better future for himself with his new-old franchise.

GT's core intact