A Mumbai Indians (MI) insider has debunked the Hardik Pandya trade rumours. “Nothing is happening,” he said, adding: “No one has approached us, and we haven’t spoken to anyone. We haven’t even concluded our planning (for the 2027 season).”
MI started their review of the 2026 IPL season last month, and it is expected to be a long-drawn-out process. “Kieron Pollard (batting coach) is in England for The Hundred,” said a source in the know. “He left for Major League Cricket (MLC) almost immediately after the IPL, and the franchise needs to have his feedback. The management also needs to hear from Hardik, his side of the story, and why things went downhill this year. The suggestion that MI have already decided to let him go is off the mark.”
MI brought back Hardik in a high-profile close-season trade from Gujarat Titans ahead of the 2024 IPL. He was appointed captain as the five-time champions opted for a change of guard after Rohit Sharma’s 11-year reign at the helm. The all-rounder’s elevation reportedly created dressing-room discord, and MI finished at the foot of the table in his first season in charge. The management addressed the issue the following year, and MI reached the playoffs in 2025. It was back to square one this term, with the team finishing ninth after managing only four wins from 14 matches.
A story is doing the rounds that Hardik might be offloaded to Chennai Super Kings, with Shivam Dube and another player coming the other way. That has been debunked. CSK have not commented on the matter either. Hardik’s reported link with Kolkata Knight Riders is also unsubstantiated at this stage.
“Look, 2027 is the final year of the ongoing cycle,” said the source. “There will be a mega auction before the 2028 edition, but next year it will once again be a mini auction, where the options will be limited. An all-rounder of Hardik’s calibre – is there a like-for-like replacement?
“A few other things need to be taken into account as well. England might be playing a white-ball series against the West Indies in May 2027. In that case, Will Jacks could miss a good chunk of next year’s IPL. He is a premier all-rounder. So, will the management want to jeopardise the team balance by trading Hardik?
“Whether Rohit will continue as a player could also impact the squad composition. Also, with Jasprit Bumrah’s injury concerns, the franchise might look for a young fast bowler who could be groomed over the next two or three years.”
Once The Hundred is over, the review process could gather pace. “It’s too early to say anything,” said the source. “This might go down to the wire. Remember, MI’s move to bring in Hardik happened only a couple of days before the trade window deadline.”
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