Even though it has been just a few weeks since the conclusion of IPL 2026, trade rumours have already picked up momentum, with Hardik Pandya at the centre of it. While reports earlier claimed that RR and MI are involved in talks for the trade of Yashasvi Jaiswal for Hardik Pandya, a new report has claimed that the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are the latest to join the conversation. Earlier this month, it came to light that Hardik had communicated his willingness to leave MI as he was mentally exhausted.
KKR desperate to have Hardik Pandya
As per news agency PTI, an IPL insider claimed that discussions have been taking place between KKR’s top management and MI’s ownership regarding a potential trade involving Hardik. The report claims that the three-time champions had approached Mumbai Indians initially at the end of IPL 2025, but the matter was deferred due to Reliance’s AGM. The report states that should Pandya move to KKR, he could be made the new captain while Ajinkya Rahane is bound to be released ahead of the IPL 2027 mini-auction.
“Ajinkya Rahane was always a stop-gap arrangement for KKR and he was always going to be released after this season. The KKR top brass had approached MI owners towards the end of last season but since Reliance’s Annual AGM was round the corner, IPL trade discussions weren’t a priority at that stage. However, it has been learned that KKR have once again approached MI’s top leadership and there have been a few rounds of discussions,” the source said.
The PTI report also claims that KKR are exploring an all-cash deal with MI for Pandya. However, it remains unclear if Mumbai Indians are okay with an all-cash deal or if they want a player swap.
After leading Gujarat Titans for two seasons, Hardik Pandya was traded to MI in 2024 where he replaced Rohit Sharma as captain. The move didn’t sit well with the fans and critics. Under the all-rounder’s captaincy, MI failed to qualify for the IPL Playoffs in 2 out of 3 seasons, with the team narrowly avoiding a bottom-placed finish in the IPL 2026 standings. (10th in 2024, 3rd in 2025, 9th in 2026).
Meanwhile, KKR were forced to pick veteran Rahane as their captain in 2025 after releasing Shreyas Iyer just after leading the team to their third title. Under the Mumbaikar’s captaincy, KKR failed to make it to the playoffs for two consecutive seasons, finishing on 8th and 7th respectively in 2025 and 2026. While Rinku Singh was named as vice-captain in IPL 2026, in what looked like an attempt to groom him as the future captain, it looks like KKR believe that Pandya is their immediate leadership solution.
Cricket
KKR in talks with MI for Hardik Pandya trade with captaincy offer, Ajinkya Rahane to be released
