Former India batter Mohammed Kaif believes Hardik Pandya made a mistake by leaving Gujarat Titans (GT) and has urged the all-rounder to focus on rediscovering his form with Punjab Kings (PBKS) following an underwhelming second stint with Mumbai Indians (MI). After days of speculation, the much-discussed trade between MI and PBKS was completed, with Hardik moving to Punjab and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh heading in the opposite direction. Hardik will join PBKS for Rs 18 crore, an increase from his previous salary of Rs 16.35 crore, while Arshdeep will move to MI on his existing deal worth Rs 18 crore. After seven seasons with Mumbai, Hardik joined Gujarat Titans ahead of IPL 2022 and made an immediate impact, guiding the franchise to the title in its debut season. GT also reached the final in 2023 before he returned to MI in 2024 and took over the captaincy.
Former Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif opined that all-rounder Hardik Pandya made a mistake by leaving Gujarat Titans (GT), a franchise where he won his first Indian Premier League (IPL) title as captain
However, his second spell with Mumbai proved disappointing. “It was a blunder by Hardik to leave GT. I think it was an emotional call. He had a connection with MI, and maybe that drew him back. It is always a tough call. You made GT champions and were the king there. But that decision hurt him. He went backwards in his performance and captaincy. Hardik enjoyed considerable success as captain of Gujarat Titans. he displayed greater maturity and consistency Although his batting became more measured with the added responsibility of leadership. Kaif believes stepping away from captaincy could ultimately benefit Hardik and allow him to focus solely on his all-round game.
Across 162 IPL matches, Hardik has scored 2,955 runs at a strike rate of 146.28 and claimed 82 wickets, highlighting his value as one of the league’s premier all-rounders. Across three seasons, Hardik managed 647 runs in 39 matches at an average of 21.53 and a strike rate of 147.82, with a highest score of 48 not out. He also picked up 29 wickets at an average of over 34. In 31 matches as skipper, he scored 833 runs at an average of 37.86 and a strike rate of 133.49, registering six half-centuries and taking 11 wickets. In his debut GT season, he scored a career-best 487 runs in 15 matches and led the franchise to the title, before guiding them to a runners-up finish the following year.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif said Hardik’s emotional connection with Mumbai may have influenced his decision to leave Gujarat, where he had established himself as a successful captain and a more mature cricketer. It would be better for him to forget the second phase with MI as quickly as possible and move forward,” Kaif said.
