Kolkata : The blockbuster IPL trade ahead of 2027 edition is finally official as Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh make swap trade moves to Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians respectively.
Hardik will join Punjab Kings at a fee of Rs 18 crore, up from his existing fee of Rs 16.35 crore, while Arshdeep will join MI at his existing fee of Rs 18 crore.
Hardik Pandya started his career in Mumbai Indians from 2015 , got groomed there and became an international star. In 2022, after addition of 2 new teams, Pandya went to Gujarat Titans and led them to title run and runner up in 2 consecutive seasons. Meanwhile, Mumbai who’re struggling since 2021 under Rohit Sharma to win titles again bagged Pandya for his second stint at Mumbai. However, the comeback was not good as expected as Pandya faced hardships in Batting, Bowling and captaincy. Pandya was even booed in all Indian Stadiums. Then he announced himself again in international arena winning 3 consecutive ICC titles in 2024, 2025, 2026. But the fortunes with Mumbai never returned and a departure was on the cards.
Across 162 IPL matches, he has scored 2,955 runs at a strike rate of 146.28 and claimed 82 wickets, underlining his value as a proven match-winner.
Over the last 2 years, Punjab came very near but couldn’t succeed to title win after Shreyas Iyer took over. They struggled with inexperienced middle order, lack of proper allrounder, good Indian pacer and a leadership support to Shreyas Iyer. Pandya’s addition to Punjab is the solution to all these problems. He is a good leadership support to Shreyas Iyer, gives good all-round and middle order options to Punjab which adds flexibility, Batting depth till number 9 and more than 6 bowling options.
Pandya has worked along side current Punjab Kings Head coach Ricky Ponting in Mumbai Indians. His mentality clicks with those of Ponting and Iyer and hence, all of combined strengths could make Punjab an invincible side.
Arshdeep Singh meanwhile has been a key figure in Punjab since 2019, where he developed as a player. His performances in the IPL have helped him break into the international setup. With 111 wickets in 96 IPL matches, he is Kings’ all-time leading wicket-taker. He is also the leading wicket taker for India in T20Is.
Arshdeep’s addition to Mumbai Indians could add major boost to their pace bowling lineup which was one of the most talked aspects over last few years especially left arm pace department. With dip in forms of left arm pacer Trent Boult, Ashwani Kumar, Mumbai lacked any support for ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah both with new Ball and death.
However, addition of Arshdeep can solve this problem. The Arshdeep Bumrah duo has done lot of heroics for India and has good chemistry. He can offer New and death bowling abilities with variations, swing, yokers just like Bumrah. Hence, Mumbai could get added benefit with 8 overs of Bumrah and Arshdeep which makes them dangerous.
Both Punjab and Mumbai have got solutions to long standing problems and with perfect strategies in Auction, more strengths could be added.
