Hardik seeks return to Gujarat Titans. Team shuts doors after hearing demands

Hardik Pandya's tenure at Mumbai Indians is likely to come to an end. Reports suggest that the all-rounder has held talks with multiple franchises, including his former team Gujarat Titans. Titans, however, have shut the doors on Pandya after hearing his demands.Hardik Pandya's tenure at MI is likely to come to an end. (Image: PTI)After a failed move to Mumbai Indians, Hardik Pandya is seeking greener pastures at another Indian Premier League franchise. Indian Express reported that the Mumbai captain held talks with his former franchise Gujarat Titans, but the move failed to go through due to the demands made by the Indian all-rounder.Pandya and Gujarat were both open to the idea of the player returning to Gujarat Titans, considering the fact that he had led the franchise to a title win in their maiden season in 2022. However, his return came with one condition: he wanted to be reinstated as captain.That demand proved to be a deal-breaker for Gujarat Titans. According to the report, the franchise had even discussed the possibility with current captain Shubman Gill, who was understood to be open to the move. But with Pandya making the captaincy role a condition for his return, Gujarat Titans decided against pursuing the deal."The franchise was fine with him making a return. They had even discussed the same with its captain Shubman Gill, and he, too, had agreed that the franchise could trade him back. But when his condition of captaincy was put up, everyone said no to it," a source told Indian Express. DO MI WANT HARDIK PANDYA OUT?Pandya's reported attempt to return to Gujarat Titans comes amid growing uncertainty over his future at Mumbai Indians. The five-time champions endured a disappointing 2026 IPL campaign, winning only four of their 14 matches and finishing ninth in the table.The all-rounder also has a mixed relationship with the franchise fanbase, who were put off by Pandya's exit after the 2021 season, only for him to return in 2024 and replace Rohit Sharma as the captain of the side. Express had previously reported that Mumbai Indians' team management was not keen on retaining Pandya as captain and had even been evaluating his role in the squad following their poor campaign.It has also been reported that several franchises, including Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings, have enquired about Hardik Pandya with Mumbai Indians.However, Pandya's spokesperson denied that the all-rounder had directly spoken to any franchise regarding a transfer or trade."Hardik Pandya had no direct conversation with any franchise whatsoever regarding transfer, trade, or otherwise. If any approach has been made to him, that has been directed to the MI franchise," Express quoted the spokesperson as saying.- EndsPublished By: Kingshuk KusariPublished On: Aug 12, 2026 09:14 IST