Hardik Pandya and the Mumbai Indians (MI) reportedly parted ways following a terrible IPL 2026 season. Hardik Pandya, MI’s franchise captain, failed to advance to the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. Pandya took over as MI captain in 2024, replacing the popular Rohit Sharma, but the team finished 10th and did not qualify for the playoffs.
Matters improved slightly in IPL 2025, when MI advanced to the playoffs, but matters worsened in IPL 2026, when MI ended ninth. Hence, the rumour mills are hot as to which franchises have shown interest in bringing in Hardik Pandya. Check out 3 more of the hottest rumours about the Hardik Pandya trade.
Here are 3 Hardik Pandya trade rumours that made headlines ahead of IPL 2027:
3. Gujarat Titans say no to Hardik Pandya.
Reports had revealed that Hardik Pandya had sent feelers to his former franchise, Gujarat Titans (GT), as well. Pandya had joined the GT franchise in the 2022 IPL and took them to victory that season, and GT almost defended their title in IPL 2023, losing a close game to CSK. However, MI traded Hardik Pandya away from GT.
Now Hardik Pandya had sent feelers to GT to rejoin the franchise. The GT team management, head coach Ashish Nehra, and captain Shubman Gill discussed the proposal and greenlit the trade. However, things stalled when Hardik Pandya put forth the captaincy condition that required Shubman Gill to step down. The franchise reportedly rejected Hardik Pandya’s proposal right there.
2. Kolkata Knight Riders want him as their new captain.
One franchise that reportedly offered Hardik Pandya captaincy is Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). After Ajinkya Rahane’s retirement, KKR are in need of a new captain. Though Rinku Singh is their vice-captain, the franchise management reportedly is looking for a new captain to start afresh, and who better than Hardik Pandya?
Hardik Pandya will have free rein in KKR, but things have stalled due to the Mumbai Indians’ demands for a trade. They have asked for some of the best KKR players in return for trading Hardik Pandya. Pandya himself is weighing his options given that he gets his captaincy requirement filled at the KKR franchise.
1. Hardik Pandya’s and MS Dhoni’s connection to the Chennai Super Kings
The hottest rumour mill is about Hardik Pandya and Chennai Super Kings. The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led and MS Dhoni-featured IPL franchise has shown great interest in bringing in Hardik Pandya to bolster their lineup and bring great balance to their playing XI. Pandya is seemingly okay with not getting captaincy at CSK as well, with Ruturaj and Sanju Samson being leadership contenders.
However, MI has reportedly demanded Shivam Dube, Anshul Kamboj, and Khaleel Ahmed in return, and that is where talks have stalled. With Kamboj and Khaleel gone, CSK will have to look for a new Indian fast bowling core. Hence, CSK is negotiating with MI for a better deal for Hardik Pandya.
