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Xtra Time Web Desk: Team India all rounder Hardik Pandya grabbed all the headlines on the final day of IPL2024 Retentions on Sunday, November 26. The Gujarat Titans skipper completed a sensational move to his former franchise Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2024. There were speculations that Hardik will return to MI in an all-cash deal of INR 15 crore. But due to some delay in paper-works, Gujarat Titans included Hardik’s name in the retention list. Mumbai in a smart move decided to trade Aussie all-rounder Cameron Green to Royal Challengers Bangalore for an even bigger purse of INR 17.5 crore. The five times IPL champions then brought Hardik back from Gujarat Titans. The official announcement will be made either on Sunday night or on Monday.

While the retention deadline ended on November 26, the trading window will remain open till December 12 and as a result, this trade can be completed. The trading window will remain open till seven days before the auction, scheduled for December 19 in UAE.

The biggest roadblock for an all-cash trade for Mumbai Indians to get back Hardik was the purse remaining which was just 25 lakhs. Nita Ambani owned franchise did create some space in their purse by releasing England pacer Jofra Archer, who was bought for Rs 8 crore in IPL 2022 auction. But it was not enough. A dramatic turnaround took place in the evening when the franchise decided to trade Cameron Green to RCB in an all-cash deal of 17.50 crore. Eventually MI got enough money to buy Hardik from Gujarat.

It was a hectic day for all 10 Indian Premier League teams as they announced the full list of retained and released players on Sunday. Quite a few big names, including Jofra Archer and Harry Brook, were released while the likes of MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul were all retained by their respective franchises.