All-rounder Hardik Pandya’s future with Mumbai Indians has been under constant speculation after IPL 2026. It is believed that the 32-year-old wants to part ways with the five-time IPL winners after three underwhelming years. The player, who is currently injured, has been linked with several teams ahead of the next season.
Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has a firm belief that the player could make a fairytale return to the Gujarat Titans ahead of the next campaign. Hardik led the side for two years before his return to MI in 2024. Ashwin took to his YouTube channel and said, “Pandya reaching out to Gujarat is not a bad thing. He enjoyed his best time with the franchise, both as a batter and captain.”
“I still feel he can go back to GT and Shubman Gill can be the captain. It was not Pandya’s fault for leaving the side in 2024 despite winning the title with them. All the players will never turn down a chance to lead a franchise like that (MI),” said the 39-year-old.
“Hardik made the call to leave the side keeping his interest in mind, but that backfired. The player himself has had happy memories with the team (GT), and it can also give him a chance to prove a point that despite not winning the IPL with Mumbai, he can do it again.”
When asked if the all-rounder will be offered captaincy, the former CSK star said, “Titans are a great franchise and the wickets are good to bat on. Gill has led them well in the last few years, so one doesn’t think that Hardik will be asked to captain the side again, but if a chance comes, he must consider going back, and there is a good chance the deal could take place.”
How the Gujarat Titans view Hardik’s potential return
It was widely reported on Wednesday that the Indian star wanted a return to Ahmedabad after spending two successful seasons there. One source close to the GT was quoted by Times of India as saying, “Who wouldn’t want such a player? But the will to captain the side killed the deal.”
Meanwhile, the cricketer’s spokesperson denied any such trade talks. The spokesperson stated that there was no direct conversation between the player and any team regarding a prospective trade, and any such approach made has been directed to MI.