Hardik Pandya is one of the best all-rounders in the world of cricket right now. He was the Indian cricket team’s top pace-bowling all-rounder at the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Hardik made his international debut in 2016 and quickly became the nation’s number one pace-bowling all-rounder across formats. He first proved himself in the limited-overs formats and then did well in the longest form of the sport as well. Most famously, Hardik scored a Test hundred for India and took a five-wicket haul in a Test match against England in the UK.
Unfortunately, a back injury impacted his career negatively. Despite the surgery, he has not been 100% fit. Hardik has played for India as a pure batter in recent matches. Even for his IPL team Mumbai Indians, Hardik has not been bowling. Now as per reports, Mumbai Indians are not looking forward to retaining Hardik Pandya ahead of the IPL Mega Auction 2022. Of course, their minds might change if he performs well at the ICC T20 World Cup. However, as of now, MI are planning to release Hardik, who has won the Indian Premier League with them in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020.
Many teams will be keen to sign a well-known and talented all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Here are the top five contenders.
1. Hardik Pandya can be a solid addition to Team Ahmedabad
If Mumbai Indians release Hardik Pandya, the chances are high that Team Ahmedabad will sign him ahead of the IPL 2022 Mega Auction. As per reports, the new teams will be allowed to take three players before the auction starts.
If Pandya enters the auction room, his price will be huge. The Ahmedabad team could sign him before because he is an experienced player. Also, he is from Gujarat and is very popular in the state.
2. Team Lucknow
Another team that can sign Hardik Pandya before IPL 2022 Mega Auction is the Lucknow-based franchise. Both Lucknow and Ahmedabad can reportedly sign three players each before the mega auction.
In IPL 2016, Rising Pune Supergiant was allowed to pick the first player in the draft over Gujarat Lions because their franchise was more expensive. If the same happens in 2022, Lucknow can beat Ahmedabad in the race to sign Hardik Pandya.
3. Punjab Kings may go for Hardik Pandya
Punjab Kings have been a part of the IPL since the inaugural season. They have played in all IPL tournaments but qualified for the summit clash only once.
PBKS lost to the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2014 Final and have not qualified for the playoffs since then. They will be keen to end their drought by signing some big names. Hardik Pandya can be one of them.
4. Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals will have to release many of their star players before IPL 2022 Mega Auction. Their strength may not remain the same, but they can make up for the players lost by signing match-winners.
Like PBKS, DC have never won the IPL despite playing all seasons. A champion player like Hardik Pandya can change the fortunes of the Delhi-based franchise.
5. Kolkata Knight Riders
Kolkata Knight Riders are likely to retain some names from their top order. Their middle-order did not perform well in IPL 2021, and the finishers failed to get going.
If they retain Andre Russell, KKR can form a lethal duo of Hardik Pandya and Russell by adding Hardik to the squad. It will be interesting to see which team ends up signing Hardik Pandya.