“Hardik can also become the captain there” - R Ashwin lists teams in Hardik Pandya trade race for IPL 2027
Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has mapped out the trade routes Mumbai Indians (MI) could take with Hardik Pandya before IPL 2027.
Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has mapped out the trade routes Mumbai Indians (MI) could take with Hardik Pandya before IPL 2027. The former India spinner named Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans, and Rajasthan Royals as potential trade options, each with a different return package. Ashwin believes KKR also offers him the captaincy option.
The off-season reports linked Pandya with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), KKR, Rajasthan Royals, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), and Delhi Capitals, among others.
Talking about what the non-CSK teams could offer for Hardik in a trade, Ashwin said on his YouTube channel:
"KKR have great potential because Hardik can also become the captain there. They could offer Varun Chakaravarthy for him. But as long as Abhishek Nayar is there, I don't think Varun will move from KKR. Harshit Rana and Rinku Singh could be other options. With RR, it could be Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sam Curran, or Brijesh Sharma or Tushar Deshpande. It could also be Jaiswal with Yash Raj Punja or Bishnoi."
He added:
"MI desperately need an Indian keeper. They will also look to strengthen their bowling, which has been dismal the last few years. PBKS with Omarzai could interest MI. No one is talking about GT, but they could get involved by giving Rashid Khan for Hardik."
Mumbai finished ninth in the 10-team IPL 2026 table with four wins from 14 matches, the second time in three seasons under Pandya that the franchise missed the playoffs. His own campaign was modest: 206 runs and four wickets in 10 matches, with an economy rate of 11.42.
"LSG aren't in the race" - R Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin believes LSG aren't in the running for the Hardik Pandya trade despite reports suggesting as many as six teams are gunning for the ace all-rounder. The veteran hasn't played competitive cricket since IPL 2026 because of recurring injuries.
"There are as many as six teams in battle for Hardik Pandya, is what I hear. But I don't think that's the case, as LSG aren't in the race. It's mainly CSK, KKR, RR, GT and PBKS. I also think captaincy isn't a must for Hardik anymore in his next franchise. He will just want to go to the ideal franchise for him, as he's keen to move on from MI," said Ashwin (via the aforementioned source).
Retention lists are due by 15 November, and the 2027 IPL auction is expected in December, which leaves MI a short window to decide on Hardik's future.
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