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'Is Hardik Pandya Worth 18 Cr?' Ex-SRH Coach Questions MI's IPL 2025 Retention Strategy

Hardik Pandya's worth questioned ahead of IPL 2025 auction (@hardikpandya7/X.com)Hardik Pandya's worth questioned ahead of IPL 2025 auction (@hardikpandya7/X.com)

Former SRH head coach Tom Moody has expressed doubts over Hardik Pandya being the top retention pick for Mumbai Indians at Rs 18 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Despite Pandya’s strong performances in the T20 World Cup, MI finished last in IPL 2024, leading to criticism of his leadership.

Mumbai Indians’ strategy for the upcoming mega auction will be an interesting tale to watch as the franchise has a large pool of players to choose from. With maximum retention limit fixed at 6, including RTMs, MI will be tasked to pick the best of the best from the pool. 

Tom Moddy suggests Hardik Pandya's retention at INR 14 Cr!

Recently, former Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) head coach Tom Moody discussed MI’s probable auction strategy and cast serious doubt on captain Hardik Pandya’s retention at INR 18 crores. 

Tom Moody believes that Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav will likely be Mumbai Indians’ first two retentions at INR 18 Cr, with Hardik Pandya placed third at INR 14 Cr.

"I would have Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav at 18, and Hardik at 14. (Leaving) is up to him or you can put it down to his performance, form and fitness," Moody said.

Moody explained that despite being the captain of the franchise, Hardik is not a real match winner compared to his other two teammates.

"And when you dissect all of those areas with Hardik Pandya, does he deserve to be an 18 crore player? Is he worth? If you've got to be an 18 crore player, you've got to be a genuine match-winner and do it regularly," he added.

The ex-coach also listed youngster Tilak Varma as one of the probable retention choices for the Mumbai based IPL franchise.

Ajay Jadeja also advised MI to use an RTM card for Hardik

Earlier, former cricketer Ajay Jadeja advised Mumbai Indians against the retention of captain Hardik Pandya. He believes that MI should use an RTM card for Hardik in the auction as competition could be less due to the all-rounder’s troubling injury history. Jadeja instead advised MI to retain Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and former captain Rohit Sharma.