Twitter reacts as Gujarat Titans retain Hardik Pandya ahead of IPL 2024 auction

Earlier it was reported that Hardik Pandya will be traded back to his old franchise, Mumbai Indians.

Gujarat Titans have retained Hardik Pandya in their squad and have ended the speculations around him joining the Mumbai Indians for the upcoming IPL 2024 season. Earlier there were media reports of him joining MI in trading window and leading the side replacing Rohit Sharma. Hardik Pandya has been one of the successful captains of the IPL and led Gujarat Titans to two successive finals. 

Social media was abuzz with the rumours and Hardik Pandya was severely criticised for this move as he joined Gujarat Titans after parting ways with Mumbai Indians. Twitter users have now reacted to Pandya’s retention and social media is having a meme-fest. A few of the fans have also called it a PR exercise to distract fans from the recent World Cup final loss against Australia at the Narendra Modi International Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. 

Hardik Pandya joined Gujarat Titans parting ways with Mumbai India before the mega-auction in IPL 2022. He led the Titans to the title win and defeated Rajasthan Royals in the final. Then in 2023, he went on to play one more final against Chennai Super Kings but missed out on a second successive title. Pandya’s international career also took off after his IPL success and he went on to lead India in T20I format.

Here's how twitter reacted to Gujarat Titans retaining Hardik Pandya:

Hardik Pandya started his career as a Mumbai Indians player as MI scouts spotted the all-rounder in Vadodara. Hardik went on to play for India and played a crucial all-rounder role in several big tournaments. Gujarat Titans have released Azarri Joseph, Odeon Smith, and all-rounder Dasun Shanaka from their squad along with Indian pace bowlers Yash Dayal, Shivam Mavi, Pradeep Sangwan, and Urvil Patel. Wicket-keeper KS Bharat has also been released.