Hardik Pandya could leave Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2027, with Punjab Kings reportedly close to securing a deal for the India all-rounder.
According to a reports, the two franchises have made significant progress in their trade discussions, with Arshdeep Singh and Vishnu Vinod likely to move to Mumbai Indians in exchange for Hardik.
The management of both franchises have reportedly agreed on the proposed exchange. The paperwork is expected to be sent to IPL officials, with an announcement likely before the November 17 retention deadline. However, neither Mumbai Indians nor Punjab Kings has confirmed the deal.
Under the reported agreement, Hardik will join Punjab Kings, while Arshdeep Singh and wicketkeeper batter Vishnu Vinod will move to Mumbai Indians.
The initial approach is understood to have come from a senior Mumbai Indians official. Punjab Kings then agreed to explore the possibility of signing Hardik, and discussions moved towards an exchange involving Arshdeep and Vishnu.
Punjab Kings were not the only team linked with Hardik. Mumbai Indians had reportedly explored trade options with Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.
KKR were the only other franchise whose discussions with Mumbai reached an advanced stage. Despite, MI reportedly wanted Harshit Rana and Angkrish Raghuvanshi as part of the deal, but KKR were not willing to release them.
Mumbai also discussed a possible exchange with Rajasthan Royals involving Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ravi Bishnoi. Those talks did not make much progress. In discussions with CSK, MI reportedly showed interest in Ayush Mhatre, but the Chennai franchise rejected the proposal.
The reported Hardik Arshdeep trade could lead to another deal involving Punjab Kings. According to reports, PBKS may approach Lucknow Super Giants for left arm pacer Mohsin Khan, with Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis being considered in exchange.
Hardik’s possible arrival could affect Stoinis’s role in the Punjab squad, while Mohsin could provide another left arm pace option if Arshdeep leaves.
Hardik returned to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans ahead of IPL 2024 and took over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma. He had previously led Gujarat to the IPL title in 2022. His future is now one of the major talking points ahead of the IPL 2027 retention deadline.
For now, the proposed exchange remains subject to official confirmation from the franchises and the IPL.
