Hardik Pandya-Yashasvi Jaiswal Not Alone! MI-RR Trades That Could Happen Before IPL 2027

Hardik Pandya can be traded for Yashasvi Jaiswal [Source: AFP]

The 19th of June was an eventful day for Indian cricket, as multiple trade rumours involving four franchises floated in media reports. 

While Rishabh Pant was reported to shift his base to Delhi Capitals, Kuldeep Yadav is believed to be roped in by LSG in exchange. 

Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya and Yashasvi Jaiswal also grabbed the limelight, with reports suggesting a direct swap between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians through a historic trade deal. 

MI and RR had contrasting campaigns in the IPL 2026. While Mumbai Indians finished ninth on the points table with four wins, RR entered the Qualifier 2, where they went down to a formidable Gujarat Titans lineup. 

As Mumbai Indians had a torrid season, they would like to address several grey areas and resolve them ahead of the IPL 2027. 

With the high-profile Hardik Pandya-Yashasvi Jaiswal trade speculations gathering pace, here are three other possible trade swaps that could happen between these two teams before the next season. 

3 possible trades between MI and RR apart from Hardik Pandya-Yashasvi Jaiswal

1) Quinton de Kock-Kwena Maphaka

How can De Kock-Maphaka IPL trade prove beneficial for MI and RR?

Quinton de Kock returned to Mumbai Indians as the franchise signed him for INR 1 Cr in last year's auction. 

Although the swashbuckling keeper-batter smashed a century, his inconsistency with the bat prompted the MI think tank to eventually replace him with Ryan Rickelton as the tournament progressed. 

If RR agree to trade Jaiswal to MI for Hardik Pandya, they will need an opening batter as a replacement for Jaiswal. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians are desperately searching for a young pacer to revamp their core bowling group. 

Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur and Trent Boult are at the twilight of their careers. Apart from Corbin Bosch, none of the MI pacers was impactful with the ball in IPL 2026. 

The Royals have a robust bowling unit comprising Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Brijesh Sharma and Tushar Deshpande. 

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They are benching Kwena Maphaka anyway, who could be a valuable asset for MI, with the franchise eyeing to release Trent Boult following his poor returns in 2026. 

Therefore, it will be a win-win deal for both teams if they exchange Quinton de Kock and Kwena Maphaka ahead of IPL 2027. 

2) Will Jacks-Sam Curran

How can Will Jacks-Sam Curran IPL trade prove beneficial for MI and RR?

Will Jacks was purchased by Mumbai Indians for INR 5.25 crores. Although he offers versatility and adds value to the table with his all-round attributes, MI will need a pace-bowling allrounder if they release Hardik Pandya to secure the services of Yashasvi Jaiswal. 

Mumbai Indians already have a fine top-order comprising Ryan Rickelton, Rohit Sharma and Tilak Varma. If Pandya goes to RR, they will need someone to fill his void in the lower middle order and contribute with bat and ball. 

On the other hand, the Royals are seeking players who can bring flexibility to their lineup. Will Jacks can emerge as their multi-purpose weapon, as the Englishman has the calibre to open as well as form the middle order alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Donovan Ferreira. 

Thus, the Will Jacks-Sam Curran trade can be beneficial for both RR and MI, if they pull off the much-talked-about Pandya-Jaiswal deal. 

3) Suryakumar Yadav-Shimron Hetmyer

The transformation of Suryakumar Yadav and Shimron Hetmyer from assets to liabilities is disheartening, to say the least. 

Although both have been absolutely phenomenal in T20 cricket, Suryakumar and Hetmyer indeed struggled to get going in the IPL 2026. 

While Surya scored 270 runs at an abysmal rate of 20.77, Hetmyer managed 78 runs, averaging just 13 across seven innings. 

However, if MI and RR can swap these two players through a trade, it could benefit them in the IPL 2027 season. 

MI need a left-handed spin-hitter, and Hetmyer can fulfil their quest by replacing Surya in their batting lineup. 

On the other hand, Suryakumar Yadav's experience can add immense value to the Royals' middle order, which currently lacks depth. 

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