Hardik Pandya has once again found himself at the centre of IPL trade speculation, with several franchises reportedly showing interest in the Mumbai Indians captain. Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings are among the teams believed to be monitoring the all-rounder, while Lucknow Super Giants and Rajasthan Royals have also been linked with a potential move.
However, despite the growing interest, there has been little concrete progress so far.
Mumbai Indians have not confirmed whether Pandya is available for trade. Sources close to the franchise have suggested that the five-time champions could still retain him. At the same time, discussions have taken place with franchises that have expressed interest in the India all-rounder, although those conversations remain preliminary.
Pandya’s recent IPL numbers could make any potential trade a complicated decision. Since 2024, he has scored fewer than 225 runs in each season, with his batting average remaining below 25. However, his strike rate has stayed close to 150, while he has also contributed 29 wickets. His value, therefore, goes beyond traditional statistics.
His leadership experience, athleticism and ability to contribute with both bat and ball make him a rare commodity in the IPL. Pandya also brings the advantage of being an Indian seam-bowling all-rounder, a profile that remains difficult to find consistently. During IPL 2026, he indicated that he expected to continue playing for another nine or 10 years.
One possible scenario could involve Mumbai Indians negotiating with Delhi Capitals for Axar Patel. The left-arm spinner would strengthen MI’s spin-bowling resources while also providing useful batting depth. Other hypothetical possibilities include Pandya moving to Rajasthan Royals for Yashasvi Jaiswal or joining LSG in a deal involving Nicholas Pooran, but there is currently no concrete evidence of such trades.
KKR remain interested but are reportedly reluctant to sacrifice their marquee players. Cameron Green could potentially be considered, although his availability for next year’s IPL may be uncertain because of the Ashes.
CSK, meanwhile, have played down reports of an active pursuit. CEO Kasi Viswanathan said the franchise would first appoint a new coach before considering major player decisions.
For now, Pandya’s future remains uncertain. The key question for MI is whether the return from a potential trade would be valuable enough to justify strengthening another IPL contender.