IPL 2024: Hardik Pandya joins Mumbai Indians camp

The 17th edition of the IPL (Indian Premier League) is all set to begin on March 22. The season opener of the tournament will feature a clash between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. With the tournament approaching ever so close, one of the biggest favorites for the title would be the Hardik Pandya-led Mumbai Indians.

Ahead of the marquee event, a clip has been making the rounds all over social media. Mumbai Indians will be looking to get their hands on the coveted title, and the five-time champions will take center stage with their new skipper, Hardik Pandya, who replaced Rohit Sharma.

Ahead of the new season, MI skipper Hardik Pandya was captured joining the side’s camp with head coach Mark Boucher. In the clip that has been going viral all over social media, Pandya was seen doing a small puja as he marked his return to his former franchise, with coach Mark Boucher breaking the coconut to mark the auspicious moment as well.

It is worth noting that Pandya was traded from Gujarat Titans in an all-cash deal of INR 15 crore ahead of the IPL 2024 auction, and after leading Titans to a title in 2022 and a final in 2023, Pandya will now be trying his hand with the five-time champions.

Hardik Pandya takes on Gujarat Titans on his return

Speaking of the IPL 2024 and Mumbai Indians, the five-time champions will kick off their season by facing the Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans in the fifth game of the tournament at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 24.

In true poetic fashion, Hardik Pandya will be taking on his former franchise in his first game since his return to Mumbai Indians. The previous season of the tournament saw Mumbai make it to the knockout stages of the competition but were eliminated by Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 of the tournament. Mumbai will aim to do better in the 17th edition.