Hardik Pandya Moves To PBKS With Pay Hike, MI Land Arshdeep Singh In Blockbuster Trade

Mumbai Indians (MI) have officially confirmed the trade of captain Hardik Pandya to Punjab Kings (PBKS) in exchange for pacer Arshdeep Singh ahead of next week's Indian Premier League (IPL) retention deadline. After weeks of speculation surrounding Hardik's future, it was confirmed on Wednesday that he has joined PBKS for Rs 18 crore, a rise from his previous salary of Rs 16.35 crore. Arshdeep, meanwhile, moves to MI on his existing Rs 18-crore contract.

This comes a day after Arshdeep's father, Darshan Singh, said in a video that an intimation about the trade deal has already been received.

Darshan, however, didn't mention whether he had received any information about Hardik Pandya joining PBKS as part of the deal.

"We also found out surprisingly that the trade has happened. I think the official intimation has probably come now that he has been traded, yes. But, you know how it is... wherever a person is born, they always have a special love for their native place, and they never forget it their whole life. So, Kings XI Punjab was like a native place for him; there was a very strong connection with them. So, you do feel a little emotional about it," Darshan told journalist Vimal Kumar in New Zealand.

Arshdeep's father also said that he is happy to know that his son will be playing alongside the likes of Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, etc.

"But since every franchise wants to build its own team balance, they traded him accordingly. We are very happy with Mumbai Indians as well. Over there, his old captain and old teammates like Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and others are there, so we are very happy," he added.

It was earlier reported that wicketkeeper-batter Vishnu Vinod could join Arshdeep Singh at MI from PBKS if Hardik Pandya's move was finalised.

Hardik's second stint with MI spanning three seasons was underwhelming as he could score only 647 runs in 39 matches and 35 innings at an average of 21.53 and a strike rate of 147.82, with a best score of 48*.

He took 29 wickets in 39 matches at an average of over 34, with a five-wicket haul to his name. In the 2025 season, MI did reach the playoffs, but finished at the bottom and in 9th place in the 2024 and 2026 seasons, respectively, under Hardik's captaincy.

Arshdeep, meanwhile, moves to MI after eight seasons with PBKS, the franchise where he made his IPL debut in 2019 and established himself as one of the competition's leading left-arm fast bowlers. With 111 wickets in 96 IPL matches, he is PBKS' all-time leading wicket-taker.

(With Added Inputs)

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