Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Hardik Pandya Seeks Gujarat Titans Return, But Not As Captain
Hardik Pandya is a famous cricket player in India.
He used to be captain of the Gujarat Titans and helped them win their first championship before moving to the Mumbai Indians.
Now people say he wants to go back to Gujarat Titans.
But he wants to be captain again, and the team's current captain, Shubman Gill, and the coaches do not want to change that.
That makes Hardik unhappy.
There is another problem: his contract with the Mumbai Indians runs until 2027, so he needs special permission, called a NOC, to switch teams.
Some people also say he might want to play for the Kolkata Knight Riders instead.
So right now, nobody is sure which team he will join.
Hardik Pandya reportedly wants to rejoin Gujarat Titans next season and approached the franchise owners directly, sources say.
Captain Shubman Gill and the coaching staff welcomed the move, but opposed a leadership change, which sources say is unacceptable to Pandya.
Pandya is contracted to Mumbai Indians until the end of the current IPL cycle in 2027, so any move would need a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Mumbai Indians spokesperson Nitin Rajsekhar said the team is unaware of any approach and that Pandya remains under contract through 2027.
Baroda Cricket Association secretary Ajit Lele and childhood coach Ajay Pawar say Pandya has also expressed interest in playing for Kolkata Knight Riders.
- Who
- Hardik Pandya, the Indian all-rounder contracted to Mumbai Indians, with Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill and Mumbai Indians spokesperson Nitin Rajsekhar among those responding to the reports.
- What
- Pandya reportedly wants to return to Gujarat Titans next season, but only with the captaincy restored, which the franchise management is unwilling to change; he also reportedly has interest in Kolkata Knight Riders.
- When
- Ahead of the next IPL season, with his Mumbai Indians contract running until the end of the current IPL cycle in 2027.
- Where
- India's IPL franchises, with Pandya reportedly having shifted residence from Vadodara to Bangalore.
- Why
- Pandya reportedly seeks a return to the franchise he led to its first IPL title and wants a leadership role, while the management prefers to keep Shubman Gill as captain.
Pandya's Side
Franchise Management
Captaincy
Pandya's Side
Hardik Pandya reportedly wants to return to Gujarat Titans only with the captaincy restored, and joining without a leadership role is reportedly unacceptable to him.
Franchise Management
Gujarat Titans management, after consulting skipper Shubman Gill and the coaching staff, welcomes Pandya as a player but is not in favor of any leadership change.
Reported destination
Pandya's Side
Sources say Pandya approached Gujarat Titans owners directly about a return next season.
Franchise Management
Baroda Cricket Association secretary Ajit Lele and childhood coach Ajay Pawar say Pandya is also keen to play for Kolkata Knight Riders, casting doubt on the Gujarat report.
Contract situation
Pandya's Side
Pandya reportedly initiated talks about a move despite his Mumbai Indians contract, which runs until 2027.
Franchise Management
Mumbai Indians say they are unaware of any approach and that Pandya remains contracted until the end of the current IPL cycle in 2027, meaning an NOC would be required for any transfer.
- Player
- Hardik Pandya
- Current team
- Mumbai Indians
- Contract status
- Contracted with Mumbai Indians until end of current IPL cycle in 2027
- Reported destination
- Gujarat Titans, with interest also reported in Kolkata Knight Riders
- Condition for return
- Welcome as a player, but not as captain
- Gujarat Titans captain
- Shubman Gill
- Requirement for transfer
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Mumbai Indians
- Mumbai Indians response
- Team not aware of any approach; Pandya remains contracted through 2027