"You are getting a player who doesn't play regularly" - Irfan Pathan's blunt remark on potential LSG-PBKS trade for IPL 2027

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has found the weak point in the trade between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) involving Marcus Stoinis and Mohsin Khan. The move could follow the biggest trade of the IPL 2027 off-season between Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings, involving Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh.

Sportstar reported on November 3 that Punjab is closing in on a trade for Hardik Pandya, with Arshdeep Singh and wicketkeeper-batter Vishnu Vinod moving to Mumbai Indians. The same report said Arshdeep’s likely exit could trigger a second deal, with Punjab approaching Lucknow for Mohsin and Stoinis going the other way.

If Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants swap Marcus Stoinis for Mohsin Khan, Pathan wants to know how a franchise gives up a bowler who plays every week for one it cannot keep on the field.

"It's a possible trade, but Arshdeep's ability is hard to replace. And forget about ability; Mohsin playing 14 games? I don't want to put Mohsin Khan down because there is no question about his ability. It's fitness that is an issue, unfortunately. That's why you don't see him playing domestic cricket regularly. So you are getting a player who doesn't play regularly (Mohsin) instead of a player who plays regularly and does everything for you (Arshdeep)," said Pathan on ESPN Cricinfo.

Mohsin played seven matches for Lucknow in IPL 2026, taking 11 wickets at 20.73 with an economy of 8.14, and his 5/23 against Kolkata Knight Riders was the first five-wicket haul of the season.

Seven appearances is a normal year for him rather than a poor one. He has 38 wickets from 31 matches across five IPL seasons, and only nine of those games came in his breakout 2022 campaign.

Arshdeep is India’s leading wicket-taker in T20 internationals, and Punjab reached the 2025 final with him in the attack. If he leaves, they lose a seamer who has been available almost without interruption.

Why Pathan sees the swap as a win for Lucknow

Irfan Pathan believes the Marcus Stoinis-Mohsin Khan trade will be a win for LSG, given the host of pacers in their squad. Stoinis was one of Lucknow’s three draft picks before their 2022 debut, alongside KL Rahul and Ravi Bishnoi, and stayed until 2024.

Punjab bought him for Rs 11 crore at the 2025 mega auction after Lucknow declined the Right to Match. Pathan believes a return to LSG will help Stoinis rediscover his best.

"It's a good trade for Lucknow because they already have so many fast bowlers. Some of them who deserve to play in the combination actually don't play because they have so many good fast bowlers. Now, Mayank Yadav bowling so well at the top level makes their bowling even better. Then you have Prince Yadav also," said Pathan (via the aforementioned source).

He added:

"That's why they will be willing to do this trade to get Stoinis. Tom Moody will be very happy to get Stoinis. So the winner in this trade will be LSG. Stoinis will be happy to return because he seemed to be happy playing for Lucknow."

Across the three seasons with LSG, Stoinis made 952 runs in 39 innings at 28.84 and a strike rate of 148.51, with one century and five fifties, peaking with 408 runs at 31.38 and a strike rate of 150 in 2023.

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