Why Vishnu Vinod was dropped from the Hardik-Arshdeep IPL 2027 trade — EXPLAINED

Kerala and Punjab Kings keeper-batter Vishnu Vinod will stay with the PBKS squad as reserve wicketkeeper. | Photo Credit: VIJAY SONEJI

Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings’ trade talks initially involved three players: Hardik Pandya moving to PBKS, and Arshdeep Singh and reserve wicketkeeper Vishnu Vinod going the other way to MI.

The structure changed once the money was settled. An IPL statement confirmed that Hardik’s fee has been revised from Rs. 16.35 crore to Rs. 18 crore. Arshdeep, meanwhile, was bought back by PBKS in the Player Auction for Rs. 18 crore.

With the two headline names now valued identically, there was no gap in value for a third player to fill. This publication understands that the franchises therefore dropped the option of including Vinod, who stays with Punjab Kings as a reserve wicketkeeper.

After going unsold in three consecutive auctions, the Kerala wicketkeeper-batter found buyers in Delhi Capitals (2021), Sunrisers Hyderabad (2022), Mumbai Indians (2023) and Punjab Kings (2025). However, he made just three appearances, all for MI in the 2023 season. Punjab retained him ahead of the 2026 campaign.