MI set to trade Hardik to PBKS for Arshdeep
Hardik Pandya had an underwhelming stint as Mumbai Indians captain • Associated Press
Cricinfo understands the trade is in the process of getting finalised, with both franchises placing an expression of interest with the IPL. The next step is to get written consent from the players, which is likely to happen in the next 24 hours, after which both franchises will conduct final negotiations before the trade is ratified by the IPL.
It is understood that Hardik and MI had several conversations since the latter part of IPL 2026 before the allrounder told the franchise he wanted to be released. With the exception of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), MI had chats with virtually all the other teams for a viable trade.
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After IPL 2026, where MI finished ninth, it was evident that they would need another fast bowler to partner Jasprit Bumrah. Trent Boult, whom they had bought at the 2025 mega auction for INR 12.5 crore, was ineffective last season and ended up playing only five matches. While releasing Boult is still an option, they will have a strong replacement in Arshdeep, who is an all-phase bowler like Bumrah. Incidentally, Arshdeep was the Player of the Match in his most recent IPL game at the Wankhede Stadium, MI's home ground.
For the first time, Arshdeep will play for a team other than PBKS in the IPL. Having made his debut for them in 2019, the left-arm quick took 111 wickets in 96 matches at an economy rate of 9.18. Yash Thakur and Vijaykumar Vyshak are the other two Indian seamers at PBKS.
This is the second time in the last five years that Hardik is part of a trade. Ahead of IPL 2024, MI bought Hardik from Gujarat Titans (GT) in an all-cash deal and appointed him captain, replacing Rohit Sharma who had led the franchise to five IPL titles.
Hardik's return promised MI a long-term captain and a match-winning allrounder but he struggled on both fronts. During his three-year captaincy stint, MI finished last in 2024, made the playoffs the following season, but were once again inconsistent in 2026. In 39 matches with Hardik as captain, MI won 15 and lost 24.
Hardik's win-loss ratio of 0.625 at MI is the worst as a captain of a team in the IPL (minimum 30 games, excluding Super Over results). The contrast with his captaincy record at GT is stark: 22 wins and nine losses in 31 matches. That win-loss ratio of 2.444 is among the best in the IPL, marginally behind RCB's Rajat Patidar's 2.500 (28 matches).
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