Hardik Pandya’s GT comeback bid fell through after captaincy demand: Report

Speculation over Hardik Pandya’s future at Mumbai Indians has intensified, with a fresh report claiming the all-rounder explored a possible return to Gujarat Titans ahead of the 2027 IPL auction.

According to The Indian Express, Gujarat were open to bringing Hardik back and discussed the possibility with their captain Shubman Gill, who was reportedly agreeable to the move. However, negotiations stalled after Hardik was said to have made captaincy a condition for his return.

“The franchise was fine with him making a return. They had even discussed the same with their captain, Shubman Gill, and he, too, had agreed that the franchise could trade him back. But when his condition of captaincy was put up, everyone said no to it,” a source was quoted as saying.

Hardik led Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in their debut season in 2022 and guided them to another final the following year. He returned to Mumbai Indians in December 2023 and was appointed captain, replacing Rohit Sharma.

However, his tenure as MI captain has failed to match his success with Gujarat. Mumbai have reached the playoffs only once in the past three seasons, while Hardik has scored fewer than 225 runs at an average below 25 in each season, despite maintaining a strike rate close to 150 and taking 29 wickets.

A Gujarat return would have reunited Hardik with coach Ashish Nehra and Gill, who played under him during the franchise’s first two seasons. However, with Gill now India’s Test and ODI captain, Gujarat are reportedly unwilling to change their leadership structure.

A Gujarat Titans representative declined to comment on the report.

Hardik’s spokesperson, meanwhile, denied that the player had approached any franchise directly over a trade.

“Hardik Pandya had no direct conversation with any franchise whatsoever regarding transfer trade, or otherwise. If any approach has been made to him, that has been directed to the MI franchise,” the spokesperson said.

The development comes amid growing uncertainty over Hardik’s future at Mumbai Indians following a disappointing 2026 campaign. MI lost 10 of their 14 matches, finished ninth and extended their IPL title drought to six years.

Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings have also reportedly shown interest in Hardik, while Lucknow Super Giants and Rajasthan Royals have been linked with the all-rounder. None of those reports has been confirmed.