India, Aug. 12 -- Speculation surrounding Hardik Pandya's future at Mumbai Indians and a potential trade ahead of the 2027 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction intensified on Wednesday after a fresh report claimed that the MI captain had approached his former franchise, Gujarat Titans, over a possible return. However, the move reportedly fell through after Hardik made it a condition that he be reinstated as captain.

According to a report in The Indian Express, Gujarat Titans were open to bringing Hardik back and had even discussed the possibility with their current captain, Shubman Gill. The franchise was reportedly willing to consider the trade, and Gill was also said to have agreed to Hardik's return. But the captaincy demand proved to ...