Does Hardik Pandya Deserve to be an 18 Crore Player for MI? Tom Moddy questions

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Hardik Pandya

The debate over whether Hardik Pandya deserves to be retained by Mumbai Indians (MI) for a whopping 18 crore has been reignited by former Sunrisers Hyderabad coach Tom Moody. With the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction approaching, franchises are meticulously planning their retention strategies, and Moody’s comments have added fuel to the fire.

Hardik Pandya’s IPL Journey

Hardik Pandya has been a pivotal figure for MI since his debut in 2015. Known for his explosive batting, handy bowling, and electric fielding, Pandya has been a match-winner on numerous occasions. However, his recent form and fitness have raised questions about his value as an 18-crore player.

In the 2024 IPL season, Pandya’s performance was below par. He scored 216 runs and picked up 11 wickets, which, while respectable, did not justify the hefty price tag. His struggles with fitness and form were evident, and these issues have persisted over the last few seasons.

Tom Moody’s Perspective

Tom Moody, in a recent discussion on ESPNcricinfo, questioned whether Pandya should be MI’s top retention at 18 crore. Moody suggested that Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav, who have been consistent performers, should be prioritized for the highest retention bracket. According to Moody, an 18 crore player needs to be a genuine match-winner and perform consistently, something Pandya has struggled with recently.

The new IPL retention rules allow franchises to retain up to six players, with the top player being retained for 18 crore, followed by two players at 14 crore each, and one at 11 crore. MI has a star-studded lineup, including Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, and Tilak Varma, making the retention decisions even more challenging.

On the flip side, retaining Pandya at 18 crore could be seen as a risky move given his inconsistent form and fitness issues. Investing such a significant portion of the budget in a player who has not consistently delivered might not be the wisest decision. Moody’s suggestion to retain Pandya at 14 crore instead of 18 crore could be a more balanced approach, allowing MI to allocate resources more effectively.

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