Shardul Thakur Breaks Silence on Hardik Pandya's Absence Amid Trade Buzz: 'Team Management Decides in the End'

Shardul Thakur cleared the air around Hardik Pandya's absence from a couple of games, stating that the all-rounder was injured and undergoing rehabilitation in Mumbai. Thakur expressed his expectation of Pandya's return for the upcoming match against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Hardik Pandya's Injury and Expected Return

Speaking after the team's recent victory, Shardul Thakur said, "Hardik is injured, so he could not travel for a couple of games. He went to Raipur [for the game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 10], but could not play. He is training in Mumbai now, and I expect him to be back in Kolkata and play against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) next Wednesday. Players like them, we always miss the quality."

Addressing Trade Rumours

When questioned about the persistent rumours regarding Hardik Pandya's potential trade in the next IPL season, Thakur dismissed them, stating, "Chatter always keeps going on social media. Some are true, and some are false. But only the team management decides in the end." This suggests that while speculation is rife, no concrete decisions have been made regarding Pandya's future with the franchise.

Hardik Pandya's Performance This Season

Hardik Pandya has had a turbulent stint since his return in 2024. His individual performances have also been below par this campaign with both bat and ball. He has scored just 146 runs in 8 matches at a strike rate of around 136, and has managed only 4 wickets while conceding at an economy of around 12. His contributions have not matched the expectations set by his successful captaincy spell with Gujarat Titans.

Mumbai Indians' Current Situation

Mumbai Indians are currently sitting 9th on the table with only 4 wins in 12 matches, mathematically out of the qualification race. Their latest victory came against Punjab Kings, pushing Punjab further down in their own qualification battle. The team has faced challenges throughout the season, with key players like Suryakumar Yadav also missing matches due to personal reasons.

Sharad Shrivastava