Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya claimed that they knew it would be difficult to get Ishan Kishan back in the IPL 2025 Auction due to his skills and the kind of player he is. Kishan's 6-year association with MI came to an end during the auction as he was sold to Sunrisers Hyderabad for 11.25 …
Knew would be difficult to get Ishan Kishan in auction: MI captain Hardik Pandya
Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya claimed that they knew it would be difficult to get Ishan Kishan back in the IPL 2025 Auction due to his skills and the kind of player he is. Kishan’s 6-year association with MI came to an end during the auction as he was sold to Sunrisers Hyderabad for 11.25 Crore.
MI were in the running for Kishan early but decided to back off as the likes of Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings came in. In a heart-warming video posted by MI, Hardik sent an emotional message to the wicketkeeper-batter. The MI skipper said that Kishan had been the freshness and energy of the dressing room. Hardik went on to say that Kishan made a lot of people smile in the dressing room.
“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 be keep the dressing room light, has made a lot of people smile,” said Hardik.
You will always be MI’s pocket-dynamo
Hardik would go on to say that Kishan’s love and warmth was something that came naturally to him and the group would certainly miss having him around. Hardik ended the message by calling Kishan MI’s pocket-dynamo.
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“That love and warmth, it came very natural to him and there will be less cake smashing, less pranks happening on people. That was Ishan and 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,” said Hardik.
In 2018, Kishan made an explosive debut for the MI in the IPL, amassing 275 runs with an impressive strike rate of 150. His dynamic performances marked him as a key player for the franchise. By the 2020 season, he elevated his game further, scoring a remarkable 516 runs to emerge as MI’s leading run-scorer for the year. His powerful hitting also earned him the award for hitting the most sixes that season.
Ahead of the 2022 IPL mega auction, Mumbai Indians secured his services for a staggering Rs. 15.25 crore, underlining their confidence in his abilities. The franchise continued to back him, retaining him for the subsequent 2023 and 2024 seasons, further cementing his status as a cornerstone of the team’s batting lineup.
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