'He Was Far More Valuable Before..' - Aakash Chopra Highlights Hardik Pandya's Skillset
Hardik Pandya last played for MI in IPL 2021 (Twitter)
Aakash Chopra gave interesting remarks on Hardik Pandya's shocking move back to Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of the next edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), stating the premier allrounder was "far more valuable" before the introduction of the 'Impact Player' ruling in the tournament.
Pandya, the reigning and successful Gujarat Titans (GT) skipper, makes a surprising return to his first IPL franchise after two years leading the Ahmedabad-based franchise to a title in IPL 2022 and a runners-up tag in IPL 2023.
The 30-year-old's Titans' journey had also proven to be a springboard in his rising stature for potential full-time India captaincy in ODIs and T20Is. However, just when fans would've expected Pandya to continue his association with the franchise, he is returning to the MI colours after an all-cash trade worth INR 15 crore plus 50% of an undisclosed transfer fee.
MI went to the extent of releasing and trading their Australian allrounder Cameron Green after just one season to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) while releasing multiple other cricketers, including speedster Jofra Archer, to ensure a desired comeback for their trusted Indian allrounder and potential new captain before the IPL 2024 auction next month.
Aakash Chopra Opens Up On Pandya's Return To MI
Chopra, however, made a valid comment on Pandya's one-way trade to MI colours by insisting the premier fast-bowling allrounder was of greater value to any IPL franchise before the 'Impact Player' rule was introduced.
Before the ruling, teams had to balance their resources and play a combination with 11 men who took the park. But with the advent of the substitution ploy, they can now bring one of the four prescribed substitutes on the bench to bowl or bat for them during the match.
"Gujarat would have gained financially but the team didn't gain at all. A captain who won you the title in the first year and took you to the final in the second year is no longer a part of your squad. They might have thought something if they are doing that," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
"It could be a business transaction or something else also. They will go looking for who they can get as Hardik Pandya's replacement. Hardik Pandya was far more valuable before the Impact Player rule because no player had two skills."
Multiple teams used the ploy last summer to overcome their balance issues and lack of allround options at critical times, something only invaluable assets such as Pandya could deliver before. It would still emerge as a massive loss to the Gujarat franchise, who gave away their maturing skipper and key cricketer.
 "Kashish Chadha")
