Ambani lauds Pandya's legacy as MI complete PBKS trade

Ambani expressed his respect for Pandya upon completion of the trade that saw Punjab Kings acquire the all-rounder in exchange for pacer Arshdeep Singh. "I have great respect for him, both as a cricketer and as a person, and wish him nothing but the very best for everything that lies ahead," Ambani said in a statement.

Pandya's association with Mumbai Indians spans a substantial portion of his IPL career, with the 29-year-old featuring in 115 of his 146 career IPL matches in the MI colours. During his tenure with the five-time champions, he was instrumental in clinching four IPL titles—in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020—all under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma.

Ambani recalled Pandya's remarkable journey with the franchise, tracing his evolution from an emerging talent to an international star before his eventual return to lead the team. "Hardik has shared some very special moments with Mumbai Indians. We have seen him grow as a cricketer, make his mark on the world stage and then return to lead the team. His contribution, his energy and his competitive spirit will always be valued by this franchise," the MI owner said.

The trade marks a significant transition for both franchises as they reshape their squads ahead of the upcoming IPL season.