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AB de Villiers, the former South Africa and Royal Challengers Bangalore cricketer has shared his views about the reported trade deal involving Hardik Pandya from the Gujarat Titans to the Mumbai Indians. The 39-year-old stated that Rohit Sharma, the current MI captain, is going to let Hardik Pandya take over the reins of the five-time IPL champions in the 2024 season.
After making his debut in the IPL in 2015 with the Mumbai Indians, Hardik Pandya rose to fame quickly with his all-round ability, fulfilling the responsibility of accelerating the scoring with power hitting in the middle order along with bowling fast in the powerplay and the middle overs. The fast-bowling all-rounder went on to win four IPL trophies with MI before he moved to the newly created franchise Gujarat Titans in 2022.
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Hardik Pandya managed to transform himself as a cricketer while captaining GT in the last two seasons of the IPL, winning the trophy in 2022 before reaching the finals with them the following year. In the build-up to the IPL auction for the 2024 season, some reports have confirmed that the 30-year-old will move to his old team Mumbai Indians, which led to AB de Villiers divulging the matter in detail.
The Protea legend was quoted as saying on his YouTube channel about why Rohit Sharma might allow Hardik Pandya to become his successor in the captaincy role for Mumbai Indians, “I have a funny feeling Rohit is going to let him (Hardik) captain. Rohit carries a lot of pressure of captaining Team India. Maybe that is going to be the move.”
AB de Villiers also spoke about how the Hardik Pandya trade is going to impact Mumbai Indians in a positive way during the IPL 2024 season. He said, “It's a big news for Mumbai Indians. He (Hardik) was a big player for Mumbai for many years. He loved playing at the Wankhede Stadium. He won the trophy with GT and then also went to the final (next season). He probably feels his time there is done.”
