![Hardik demanded captaincy from GT [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1793858174039_HardikdemandedcaptaincyfromGT.jpg?type=hq)
Hardik demanded captaincy from GT [Source: AFP]
Hardik Pandya's move to the Punjab Kings ahead of the next season is nearly complete, with the deal expected to be announced in the next few days. However, even before trade talks with PBKS began, Mumbai Indians players had contacted his former franchise, the Gujarat Titans, about a potential comeback.
According to a discussion that took place between journalists Rohit Juglan (RevSportz) and Amol Karhadkar (Sportstar), the all-rounder wanted to go back to GT in a trade deal, and he initially wanted to replace Shubman Gill as the team captain.
Hardik planned to join GT, but trade talks didn't go through
Speaking on Rohit Juglan’s YouTube channel, it was reported that Hardik, who had won the IPL 2022 championship alongside the Titans, was interested in going back to them for the next season.
His captaincy request was rejected, but the Indian star was willing to play under Gill’s captaincy; however, there was one major roadblock.
The two teams, MI and GT, even engaged in potential trade talks, but it didn’t materialise as the Gujarat Titans didn’t want to trade the players Mumbai demanded in return.
Hence, Hardik’s focus switched towards the Punjab Kings, and the deal could go through as the Mumbai Indians will bag Arshdeep Singh in return.
Hardik won his maiden IPL title 'as captain' with GT
Ahead of IPL 2022, the Mumbai Indians released Hardik, and the Gujarat Titans, who were making their IPL debut, made him their captain.
The Hardik-GT partnership instantly clicked as the right-handed batter led the side from the front, and they ended the league stage at the top of the table. The side then defeated Rajasthan Royals to clinch the IPL title in their very first season.
The trend continued in the second season as Hardik and GT once again dominated the proceedings, and they reached yet another IPL final, only to lose against MS Dhoni’s CSK in a nail-biter.
The following season, he was traded back to the Mumbai Indians, but the move failed to deliver the goods as the team failed to reach the finals even once under his leadership, and last season, the five-time winners finished 9th.
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