Hardik Pandya is all set to play under Shreyas Iyer in Punjab Kings (PBKS), while Arshdeep Singh will turn up for Mumbai Indians (MI) after the franchises agreed to a blockbuster trade deal.
There were speculations about Hardik and MI parting ways after the team’s poor showing in IPL 2026.
Hardik returned to MI after leading Gujarat Titans to an IPL title in 2022 and helped them reach the final in the following year; however, he could not repeat the heroics for MI after returning as captain in 2024, as MI failed to qualify for the playoffs in two out of the three seasons.
An IPL source confirmed the trade deal to PTI.
“The trade has been completed. Hardik is going to Punjab Kings and Arshdeep is moving to Mumbai Indians. Hardik is happy to play under Shreyas Iyer,” PTI quoted a source in the know of things.
“It was the decision of the captain and the coach to trade Hardik for Arshdeep, who has been with Punjab Kings for a very long time and has become the player he is today following his success with the franchise.
“For the owners, it was not an easy decision considering how Arshdeep has risen and performed so well for the franchise. However, the captain and the coach went ahead with this decision, and that is it.”
Who Will Lead Mumbai Indians In IPL 2027?
Once the deal is confirmed, MI should announce the new captain for IPL 2027. Speculations are rife that the team could turn to five-time IPL-winning captain Rohit Sharma to lead the side in the next season; however, MI have plenty of leaders in the team, including Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah, who could be given the duties of captain. But Rohit, given his tremendous record as captain, remains the frontrunner at a time when MI is trying to end the slump. MI have not won an IPL title since last winning it in 2020.