IPL 2018: Hardik Pandya expresses his joy as Mumbai Indians retain him

Baroda all-rounder Hardik Pandya has arguably been one of the finds of the tournament for the Mumbai Indians. Not only can Pandya hit the ball sweetly but he can also bowl a few short ones to knock out the batsmen. Reports before the tournament suggested that the Paltans would not retain the all-rounder for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, the all-rounder took to Twitter to quash all the rumours of the right-handed player leaving Mumbai Indians.

He commended the way the franchise had changed his life, right from picking him up in the IPL Auctions before he showed his worth to the franchise. In the 2013 Auction, Pandya was picked up the Paltans for a bargain price of Rs 10 lakhs. However, his price was doubled three seasons later to a sum of Rs.20 lakhs.

Hardik expresses his delight on Twitter

His brother Krunal Pandya was too picked up by the same franchise for a sum of Rs.2 crore after the elder Pandya’s exploits in the domestic circuit. In the three years that Hardik spent at Mumbai Indians, he has picked up two out of the three possible titles.

Mumbai Indians ahead of the new season of IPL has retained the services of the Baroda all-rounder alongside skipper Rohit Sharma and pacer Jasprit Bumrah. Following Mumbai Indians announcement on Twitter, Hardik took to the same platform to express his happiness over the news.

Hardik tweeted, “Mumbai Indians is where I began my successful journey in cricket. I am privileged to continue being a part of the MI family. #CricketMeriJaan @mipaltan” in response to the news of the all-rounder being retained by the franchise.

Mumbai Indians is where I began my successful journey in cricket. I am privileged to continue being a part of the MI family. #CricketMeriJaan @mipaltan pic.twitter.com/hYlmnC9u2w

— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) January 4, 2018

It is probably one of the best decisions that the franchise have taken in the recent time, and it would turn out to be a danger for the other sides with Hardik in prime form for the Indian team.