Why Did Mumbai Indians Not Retain Hardik Pandya For IPL 2022?

Mumbai Indians, the IPL franchise has been the most successful team in the history of IPL. The team has won the title five times (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020). Rohit Sharma, the current Indian skipper has led the franchise to all the trophies.

Hardik Pandya the all-rounder has been part of the Mumbai-based team’s last four title wins and has majorly contributed. The Boroda born cricketer started playing for Mumbai Indians in 2015. Pandya provided all three dimensions to the team except the last two years when he did not bowl due to injury.

Unfortunately, The bond was broken in 2022 when the Mumbai-based franchise decided not to retain the all-rounder. The five-time champions retained Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Kieron Pollard.

Mumbai Indians squad for IPL 2022 :

Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah, Kieron Pollard, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Dewald Brevis, Basil Thampi, Murugan Ashwin, Jaydev Unadkat, Mayank Markande, N Tilak Varma, Sanjay Yadav, Jofra Archer, Daniel Sams, Tymal Mills, Tim David, Riley Meredith, Mohd Arshad Khan, Anmolpreet Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Rahul Buddhi, Hrithik Shokeen, Arjun Tendulkar, Aryan Juyal, Fabian Allen

In a recent report, A source confirmed the reason behind Hardik Pandya not being retained by Mumbai Indians. The reporter confirms that the all-rounder not being able to bowl in both IPL and International cricket was one of the biggest reasons behind Mumbai Indians not retaining Hardik Pandya.

The all-rounder has not bowled regularly since 2020. Pandya picked up a back injury in Asia Cup 2018 and a Shoulder injury last year.

Hardik Pandya is now set to lead the new IPL franchise called the Gujarat Titans and is currently focusing on his fitness in the team’s camp. All-rounder has reportedly now joined the National Cricket Academy pre-IPL fitness camp.

Pandya looked keen to work with Ashish Nehra who is the head coach of Gujarat Titans. Nehra the left-arm pacer has himself tackled many injuries and Hardik wanted his guidance. The team will have Garry Kiersten as their batting coach for IPL 2022.