October 3, 2024
Mumbai, India :
Former Sunrisers Hyderabad coach Tom Moody has expressed doubts about whether Hardik Pandya should be retained as the top player for the Mumbai Indians (MI) at a price of 18 crores. This concern arises after Pandya's disappointing performance in the last IPL season, where he scored only 216 runs and took 11 wickets.
Under the new IPL retention rules, teams can keep up to six players through retentions or Right to Match (RTM) options. The highest-paid player will be retained for 18 crores, while others can be retained for 14 and 11 crores. MI has several star players to consider for these spots, including Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma.
In an interview with ESPNCricinfo, Moody suggested that MI should retain Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav for the 18 crore price, while keeping Hardik at 14 crores. He believes that an 18 crore player must consistently perform well and be a match-winner. Moody highlighted that Pandya struggled with fitness and performance last season, which raises questions about his value at such a high price.
Moody also pointed out that MI has faced challenges at recent auctions, particularly with players like Ishan Kishan and Jofra Archer, who did not perform as expected. He stated, “They have been too loyal to some players, which has cost them dearly.” Moody urged MI to make careful decisions about their player retention.
As the franchise prepares for the upcoming season, tough choices are ahead. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya is focused on the T20I series against Bangladesh.
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