IPL 2024: Aakash Chopra takes indirect swipe at Hardik Pandya after his return to Mumbai Indians

Former Indian opener turned commentator Aakash Chopra has taken indirect swipe at Hardik Pandya. This came after the 30-year-old went back to Mumbai Indians on Sunday. The trade between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians was one of the biggest talking points of the weekend.

It was reported last Saturday that Hardik Pandya had decided to move back to Mumbai Indians ahead of the IPL 2024 season. The reported figure of the trade was a massive INR 15 Crores.

On Sunday, Gujarat Titans retained Hardik Pandya which shocked a lot of fans. Once the retention and release list was announced there was one more twist in the tale. Cameron Green was traded by Mumbai to RCB for INR 17.5 Crores. The money was used promptly to buy Hardik Pandya as the move was confirmed late on Sunday night.

Aakash Chopra’s indirect swipe at Hardik Pandya –

Nearly 24 hours after Hardik Pandya made his move back to Mumbai Indians, Aakash Chopra posted a curious tweet. The former Indian opener wrote “Once in a while life gives you an opportunity to choose between money and legacy. Whatever you choose will define you for the rest of your life”

Once in a while life would give you an opportunity to choose between money and legacy. Whatever you choose will define you for the rest of your life.

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 27, 2023

It was evident that the tweet was directed at Hardik Pandya for his desire to return to the Mumbai Indians fold. The biggest reason behind the move is factored in endorsements which the Indian all-rounder wasn’t really getting at Gujarat Titans.

Aakash Chopra spoke about the move at length in his YouTube channel. The former India opener said “The one thing that won’t look good on Hardik’s CV is that he left Mumbai because he wanted to become a captain. You went to Gujarat and then became the Indian captain. You will no longer be a franchise captain now but you still want to be India’s captain – it doesn’t sit right”

Shubman Gill has been confirmed as the new skipper of Gujarat Titans for the IPL 2024 season. There is already a debate on who will be the skipper for Mumbai Indians next year. Many have said that Rohit Sharma will give up captaincy ahead of the IPL 2025 season.

Speaking about this, Aakash Chopra said, “It doesn’t look right whether you look from optics or any other angle, that you are not your franchise’s captain but are India’s captain in the T20 World Cup. It doesn’t sound right but so be it,” 

Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya has posted a tweet speaking about his happiness on being back to Mumbai Indians. The 30-year-old wrote “This brings back so many wonderful memories. Mumbai. Wankhede. Paltan. Feels good to be back”