Hardik Pandya Opens Up About Ishan Kishan's Exit From Mumbai Indians

In the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) auction, Ishan Kishan, who has played for the Mumbai Indians since 2018, was sold to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Prior to the two-day auction, the Mumbai Indians released the wicket-keeper batsman, opting instead to retain Tilak Varma. In the auction, Mumbai placed an offer for him, but it fell short of INR 3.20 crore. Hardik Pandya, the captain of MI, has now spoken out about his leaving.

Ishan Kishan, a member of the Mumbai Indians since 2018, was sold to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction. The Mumbai Indians decided to maintain Tilak Varma instead of releasing the wicket-keeper batsman before the two-day auction. Mumbai made an offer for him at the auction, but it was less than INR 3.20 crore. MI skipper Hardik Pandya has finally got candid on the situation.

Hardik Pandya breaks silence:

He said, "Ishan has been the ‘freshness’ and the ‘energy’ of the room. When we couldn’t retain him, we always knew that it’s gonna be very difficult to get him back from the auction simply because we knew that, the kind of player and kind of skillset he brings. He always used to keep the dressing room light and has made a lot of people smile. That love and warmth came very naturally to him and there will be less cake smashing, and fewer pranks happening to people. That was Ishan who used to bring so much love to this team, that is something as a group we are going to miss. Ishan Kishan, you always be MI’s pocket dynamo. We all gonna miss you and we all love you."

Hardik Pandya🤝 Ishan Kishan 💙 pic.twitter.com/iWTU4VWsYK

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) December 1, 2024

Ishan was acquired by MI during the 2022 IPL season for an incredible INR 15.25 crore, and he was kept for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. But after a series of subpar performances, he was let go before the 2025 sale. But with Sunrisers Hyderabad, Ishan has discovered another team that is, at least theoretically, regarded as one of the best in the league.

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