The Hardik Pandya trade saga has taken a new turn, as recent reports suggest that the MI skipper is all set to be traded to Kolkata Knight Riders. The development comes days after the 32-year-old was rumoured to go to the Rajasthan Royals, and Yashasvi Jaiswal was traded to Mumbai Indians.
It is clear that Hardik Pandya wants to leave, and there are several parties interested in roping in the India star all-rounder. Now, the question is how KKR will poach Hardik Pandya. Hardik earns 16.35 crore at Mumbai Indians.
It will be difficult for KKR to go for an all-cash deal. Hence, a player or two will be involved if the deal is to advance. Therefore, this article will shed light on three KKR players that the Mumbai Indians can demand if they have to trade out Hardik Pandya.
3 KKR Players Mumbai Indians Can Target In Hardik Pandya Trade
1. Rinku Singh
At present, Mumbai Indians lack a quality finisher. Hardik Pandya had been doing the job for years, but now, since the relations are strained and the all-rounder is also not in the best of his form, the five-time winners need to have an experienced and trustworthy finisher as Pandya’s replacement.
Poaching Rinku Singh would be tough because in IPL 2025, Rinku was named the vice-captain. Further, reports suggest that the Knight Riders are also looking at Singh as the next captain for IPL 2027.
Criteria
Data
Innings
11
Runs
295
Average
59.00
Strike-Rate
148.99
100/50
0/2
(Rinku Singh Stats in IPL 2026)
How Can MI Target Rinku Singh?
Rinku Singh earns 13 crores per season for KKR, and MI can easily swap Hardik Pandya for him, since the MI star all-rounder earns 16.35 crores. It is also possible that KKR might offer Rinku Singh and a few crores in addition to match Pandya’s market value.
2. Varun Chakaravarthy + Angkrish Raghuvanshi
Other than a middle-order batter, the Mumbai Indians don’t have a quality spinner. The five-time winners had to rely on Allah Ghazanfar, who did well, but even in his best, he only picked up 15 wickets in 11 innings.
Varun Chakaravarthy, on the other hand, braved an injury and played several matches despite a foot fracture. The right-arm spinner still picked up 11 wickets in 11 innings. Hence, bringing in Varun Chakaravarthy will allow MI to use an overseas talent at some other place.
Criteria
Data
Innings
11
Wickets
11
Strike-Rate
22.00
3W/5W
2/0
(Varun Chakaravarthy Stats In IPL 2026)
Criteria
Data
Innings
12
Runs
422
Average
42.20
Strike-Rate
145.53
100/50
0/5
(Angkrish Raghuvanshi Stats In IPL 2026)
How Can MI Target Varun Chakaravarthy?
Varun’s IPL salary is 12 crores. Now, it doesn’t seem like MI will give away their 16 crore star to buy a 12 crore prospect. Hence, MI might even ask for a player like Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who is on the rise.
Notably, Raghuvanshi was KKR’s leading run-getter in IPL 2026, and his salary is also 3 crores. KKR might reject the offer, but in the past, it has been seen that several teams have demanded a couple of players from franchises, just to help in negotiations.
3. Matheesha Pathirana + Tim Seifert
One interesting gamble that the Mumbai Indians can make is to rope in Matheesha Pathirana. The 18 crore KKR star was injured the entire season and failed to make any impact. However, he has now finally undergone surgery for his hamstring and is on his way back to recovery.
How Can MI Target Matheesha Pathirana?
Therefore, buying Pathirana can be a great gamble. However, his decent dip in form might also correct his market value. MI would value the Sri Lankan seamer around 11-12 crores.
Rest, the five-time winners might also ask for Tim Seifert to strengthen their top order. Seifert was bought for 1.50 crores, but had a failed IPL 2026.
Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh - (Source: AFP)
