'Koi Farak Nahi Padta'- Mohammed Shami On Hardik Pandya's Exit From GT

image-lrg5bg4qShami plays for Gujarat Titans in IPL [X.com]

Hardik Pandya's infamous departure from the set-up wouldn't impact or interrupt Gujarat Titans' (GT) successful journey in the Indian Premier League (IPL), believes the franchise's experienced pacer Mohammad Shami. 

Shami backed the remaining players to come out triumphant for the Titans even without their previous leader and premier allrounder, who made a controversial shift back to his old franchise, Mumbai Indians (MI), ahead of IPL 2024. 

After establishing a great on and off-field repute and influence on Titans' fortunes, with a title win in IPL 2022 and runners-up finish in IPL 2023, Pandya was expected to only grow as a leader and take the franchise to further heights in the coming years. 

However, the experienced cricketer shocked the world with a one-way trade back to MI colours after the five-time champions reportedly paid INR 15 crores plus an undisclosed transfer fee to the Titans to regain his services. 


Shami On Hardik Pandya's GT Departure 

While talks have been rife on how big a blow it is to the Titans, who had to hit the refresh button with their playing resources and overall planning before the IPL 2024 mini-auction, Shami refused to budge along those lines and went to the extent of saying it won't matter to his team. 

"Kiso ko kisi Kai Jane Sai koyi farak nahi padta. (No one cares about anyone (Hardik Pandya) leaving the franchise). Hardik wanted to leave and he left. He did well as a captain as Gujarat made it to the final twice and also won the title once. He wasn’t tied up to Gujarat for lifetime," Shami said on Sports24. 

The Titans have since appointed the rising young Indian opener and one of their prolific batters, Shubman Gill, as the new skipper while also bolstering their squad at the bidding war. 

Shami said, however, that as a player and franchise, one has to accept the changing priorities with individuals, and he would be okay if Gill also looks to move elsewhere in the future. 

"Shubman Gill will also become experience and there is a possibility of him playing for another franchise in the future. You can’t stop anyone as it is part and parcel of the game," he added.