Mumbai Indians yet to commit on Hardik Pandya trade as talks with KKR and CSK stay preliminary

Mumbai Indians have not committed to trading Hardik Pandya ahead of IPL 2027, with discussions involving Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings remaining at a preliminary stage. The franchise is yet to make a firm decision on whether to move the all-rounder at all.

Cricbuzz reported that no concrete offer has been confirmed from any side, and trade deals for IPL 2027 are expected to be finalised by the end of the year. Beyond KKR and CSK, Lucknow Super Giants and Rajasthan Royals have also been linked with Pandya, though those associations remain at the rumour stage.

Pandya re-joined Mumbai Indians in 2024. The team finished last that season, reached Qualifier 2 in IPL 2025 before losing to Punjab Kings, and then finished ninth in IPL 2026. Since 2024, Pandya has scored fewer than 225 runs at an average below 25 in each IPL season, with a strike rate below 150, while taking 29 wickets with the ball across that period.

Why are Hardik Pandya trade negotiations proving difficult?

KKR have expressed interest in acquiring Pandya but are not prepared to include any of their key players in a trade package, which has stalled discussions at an early stage. No financial terms or player packages from any of the preliminary conversations have been confirmed publicly.

Pandya has been out of action since IPL 2026 and is currently based in Bengaluru at the Centre of Excellence, working towards full fitness. His availability will be a significant factor for any franchise weighing up a trade. In IPL 2026, he played 10 matches, scoring 206 runs and taking 4 wickets at an economy rate of 11.42.

What has CSK said about a potential Hardik Pandya trade?

CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan made clear that the franchise has not yet turned its attention to a potential Pandya trade. CSK is currently focused on appointing a new head coach before addressing player acquisitions for the next season.

“We have not started applying our minds to this. First, we will have a coach. We have received calls from many interested candidates. We will sit and finalise,” Viswanathan was quoted by Cricbuzz as saying.

The statement confirms that any CSK interest in Pandya remains well short of a formal approach at this point, leaving the situation fluid across all interested franchises.