Hardik Pandya IPL 2026 (Source: AFP)
Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI) will lock horns in a high-octane IPL 2026 match on Thursday. However, only hours before the match, the five-time IPL franchise, MI, has been marred by the unavailability of their two major players, captain Hardik Pandya and star batter Suryakumar Yadav.
On top of that, Hardik Pandya’s back-to-back absence has been reportedly linked to his shock move away from the MI. However, a shocker of a development has come up amid the high-profile trade talks.
Hardik Pandya leaving Mumbai Indians? Trade talks emerge
Speculation surrounding MI captain Hardik Pandya’s trade to another IPL franchise has intensified during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, following multiple reports about his future with the franchise.
The rumours began when a viral video featuring Hardik Pandya in a deep conversation with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan set the IPL 2027 trade rumours into overdrive, following Mumbai Indians’ defeat at Chepauk on May 2.
The footage, captured at the MA Chidambaram Stadium shortly after CSK’s 8-wicket win, shows Viswanathan and Pandya engaged in an extended discussion on the field.
Given MI’s disastrous 2026 campaign, the optics of the rival captain speaking with the opposition’s top brass have sparked intense speculation.
Hardik Pandya to be traded to CSK?
The primary rumour circulating on social media suggested a potential blockbuster trade for the 2027 season, possibly involving a swap with another CSK player.
Notably, the CSK CEO had a similar kind of conversation with Sanju Samson in IPL 2026, and ahead of the ongoing season, the keeper-batter was traded to CSK.
However, it is worth noting that the franchise has remained under constant scrutiny ever since Hardik Pandya replaced Rohit Sharma as captain ahead of IPL 2024 following his high-profile trade from Gujarat Titans. The decision had generated significant reaction among fans and cricket experts.
Also read: Depleted Mumbai Indians Seek Revenge, Aim To Shatter Punjab Kings' Playoff Hopes
The trade talks further escalated when Hardik shared a video of him practising without any discomfort despite the ouster from MI matches. He shared a video of himself going through a rigorous late-night batting session, and he looked anything but injured.
It was allegedly filmed at a Reliance facility, where Pandya can be seen going after the bowlers with intent, showing no signs of stiffness or discomfort.
No Trade happening for Hardik Pandya: Recent reports suggest a fresh story
Nonetheless, in a significant development, Vijay Tagore, a senior journalist, in a report for Cricbuzz, suggested that sources have dismissed the recent assumptions around Hardik Pandya’s trade amid IPL 2026.
The report further clarified that although he was seen practising alone, without his MI teammates, the franchise’s medical team is constantly assessing him and, according to them, he is yet to fully recover.
Moreover, though the team is already out of the IPL 2026 playoffs race, the MI franchise is not entertaining any discussion over Hardik’s trade. Further emphasising that he will continue to play for the Mumbai-based franchise for now.
Also read: Jamie Overton Ruled Out; PSL Star Enters CSK IPL 2026 Squad As Replacement
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