In in all probability the most important switch of IPL historical past, Gujarat Titans’ (GT) former skipper Hardik Pandya was traded back to the Mumbai Indians the place his IPL journey began back in 2015. Hardik’s switch and the aftermath of it – him being named the captain of Mumbai Indians changing Rohit Sharma – hasn’t had a very good search for both of the franchises, particularly the Titans who misplaced their premier all-rounder and captain. While many criticised how the switch befell, GT head coach Ashish Nehra did not attempt to cease Hardik from making the transfer.
Nehra mentioned had Pandya been going to another franchise, he would have stopped him however since he had already performed for Mumbai Indians for higher a part of his profession, he did not whereas mentioning that these type of football-esque transfers will develop into regular in cricket too. Speaking at a media interplay in Ahmedabad on Saturday, March 16, Nehra mentioned, “I by no means tried to persuade Pandya to keep back. As you play extra, you acquire expertise. I could have stopped him had he gone to some other franchise.
“He (Pandya) played here for two years but he has gone to a team (MI), where he has played previously for 5-6 years,” Nehra was frank in his admission,” Nehra added. “The method by which the game (cricket) is shifting, we are going to have trades and transfers like we see in worldwide soccer.
It’s a brand new problem for him and could also be he’ll be taught one thing new and we want him one of the best,” the head coach added.
Not simply Hardik, the Titans shall be additionally lacking their highest wicket-taker from final yr Mohammed Shami, who has been dominated out of IPL 2024 as he recovers from his heel surgical procedure. Nehra mentioned that the 2024 version of the IPL shall be a studying curve for GT and hopefully they are going to be ready to get such performances from the remainder of the squad.
“In any sport, you have to move on. You cannot buy experience and to replace someone like Hardik Pandya or (an injured) Mohammed Shami isn’t going to be easy. But that’s a learning curve and that’s how team moves forward,” Nehra mentioned. Shubman Gill was named the brand new Titans skipper and it is going to be an enormous season for the opening batter as within the absence of senior execs like Hardik and Shami, the franchise will look in the direction of the 24-year-old not simply to construct the franchise and his personal legacy but additionally with the bat too, having had a smashing yr in 2023.
