Former India cricketer R Ashwin believes Mumbai Indians (MI) can trade Hardik Pandya to teams other than Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Hardik is reportedly set to part ways with MI, with CSK and KKR frontrunners to rope in the all-rounder in a trade deal. But Ashwin believes that teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Delhi Capitals (DC) might also be interested in the ace all-rounder.
Ashwin listed out players MI can swap for , saying that the team can also go after SRH’s Ishan Kishan and DC’s KL Rahul.
“MI can also look elsewhere other than CSK and KKR. MI can also try to deal Hardik with SRH for an Indian batter and an overseas/Indian bowler in return. They can ask for an Ishan Kishan, who was previously an MI player. Kishan and someone like Shivang Kumar will make it equal value for Hardik. Even a KL Rahul trade with DC is viable. So, it isn’t only with CSK and KKR that MI can try for a trade with,” said Ashwin on his YouTube channel
Jaiswal, Pooran Also Among Options
But that’s not all. Ashwin felt Punjab Kings (PBKS) also have multiple players who can be a good fit for the Mumbai Indians, while also naming Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel as possible replacements.
“They can ask PBKS for Marco Jansen or Azmatullah Omarzai, along with Priyansh Arya or Suryansh Shedge. That’s a very viable trade. Similarly, they can reach out to RR and ask for Yashasvi Jaiswal. It looked like Jaiswal didn’t really enjoy himself at the top with RR. MI could even ask for Dhruv Jurel and Tushar Deshpande in return for Hardik or Sam Curran, and Jaiswal/Jurel for Hardik.”
Hardik Pandya has delivered ordinary returns for Mumbai Indians ever since he was named the side’s captain following a trade deal with Gujarat Titans ahead of IPL 2024. Despite his below-par performance in recent years, he remains one of the stalwarts of T20 cricket.
Meanwhile, Ashwin said that MI can also try to rope in Nicholas Pooran from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), highlighting that he plays for the MI franchises in global leagues.
“Nicholas Pooran also plays for MI franchises around the world. MI can also try to get him along with Prince Yadav or Mohsin Khan for Hardik. They are also looking for a captain, so getting Hardik could be beneficial for them also,” said Ashwin.