The Mumbai Indians (MI) has denied engaging in trade talks with any franchise regarding Hardik Pandya. Reports have suggested that, since the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season ended, the all-rounder won’t stay with the 5-time champions, with Pandya and the franchise both amicably deciding to part ways.
First, it was suggested that the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) would be willing to trade Ayush Mhatre and Shivam Dube, who play domestic cricket for Mumbai, for Pandya. Then reports emerged that CSK weren’t interested. Instead, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) were keen on a straight swap between Pandya and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
No Hardik Pandya trade, at least for now
Then we heard that the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) wanted to move on from Ajinkya Rahane and would pursue Pandya as their new captain ahead of the IPL 2027 auction. Earlier today, it emerged that four more teams were interested in a potential Pandya trade.
As a fast-bowling all-rounder, Pandya is the rarest of rare commodities. It’s only natural for teams to be interested in him. But MI has denied having any trade talks with any franchise as of now. The franchise has yet to complete the IPL 2026 season review and will take a decision only when they’ve dissected what went wrong.
“We have just begun our post-season review and will look into all aspects of the team. As with any review of this nature, a range of options and ideas will be evaluated before any decisions are made with regard to players. Currently, we are not engaged in conversations with regard to player trades; the same is only possible once the review is complete,” a MI spokesperson told RevSportz.
Most things have gone from under Pandya’s leadership, with MI winning just 15 out of 39 matches in the last 3 IPL seasons. However, one can’t blame the all-rounder alone. Injuries, age, and loss of form have hurt them. The auction strategy hasn’t been great either.
CSK deny any MI talks
Amid all of this, CSK has denied holding any talks. Chennai hasn’t even started their review, and their focus is on Major League Cricket, where the Texas Super Kings are playing under Stephen Fleming. Once that tournament ends, CSK will discuss matters like the potential Pandya trade.
“CSK has not even done the review of the season yet, and we will only do so after the MLC is complete. I am currently in the US. We have not spoken to anyone, and all that is being said about Hardik and CSK is untrue,” CSK CEO Kasi Viswanath told RevSportz.
Cricket
Mumbai Indians deny Hardik Pandya trade talks with CSK or KKR ahead of IPL 2027 auction
