IPL 2025: Does Hardik Pandya deserve ₹18 crore price tag?
The 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction promises to be a major event, with all 10 teams carefully crafting their strategies in preparation. According to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), each team can retain up to six players from their current squad. This can be done by either retaining the player or utilizing the Right To Match (RTM) option. The maximum limit for retentions/RTMs includes five capped players and two uncapped players.
Mumbai Indians face crucial decisions ahead of IPL 2025
The five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI), who finished last in the IPL 2024, are facing a critical season. The team's roster includes stars like Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan, and Tilak Varma. It'll be interesting to see who they choose to retain for the next season. Reports indicate that two players can be retained at ₹18 crore each, another two at ₹14 crore each, and one player at ₹11 crore.
Tom Moody questions Hardik Pandya's worth
Meanwhile, former IPL-winning coach Tom Moody has raised doubts about whether Pandya deserves to be retained for the highest price of ₹18 crore. He stated to ESPNcricinfo, "If you've got to be an ₹18 crore player, you've got to be a genuine match-winner and do it regularly." He mentioned that Pandya faced challenges with both fitness and performance during the previous IPL season.
Moody advises MI to reassess player retention strategy
Moody also advised MI to reconsider their player retention strategy, citing the high costs incurred in retaining Ishan Kishan and Jofra Archer. He suggested that MI should discuss with former captain Rohit about his future plans before deciding on using the RTM card. "Hardik, Bumrah, Surya, and Tilak are a good four to retain," Moody said.
Pandya's 2024 season stats and overall IPL career stats
During the 2024 season, Pandya played 14 matches managing 216 runs while averaging just 18. He had a strike rate of 143.05 and a highest score of 46. While bowling he managed 11 wickets at 35.18. His economy rate was 10.75. His best figures were worth 3/31. Overall, Pandya has scored 2,525 runs in 137 matches at an average of 28.69 striking at 145.62. His highest score is 91. While bowling he has 64 wickets, averaging 33.59.
All-rounder's stats for Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians
Pandya led Gujarat Titans for two seasons (2022,2023) before he returned to MI in 2024. For GT, Pandya managed 833 runs in 31 matches at 37.86 (SR 133.49). While bowling he managed 11 wickets at an economy rate of 8.10 while averaging 40,90. He helped GT win the 2022 IPL crown and led them to the final in 2023. For MI, Pandya owns 1,692 runs in 106 matches at 25.63 (SR: 152.43). He has 53 wickets (Economy rate: 9.40).
