Mumbai, Nov 11:
In a blockbuster trade ahead of the IPL 2027 player auction, Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya has been traded to Punjab Kings (PBKS), with frontline India pacer Arshdeep Singh moving the other way to join the five-time champions.
Both star players have been exchanged at an identical valuation of Rs 18 crore, marking one of the most high-profile player-swap arrangements in the tournament’s history. Hardik, who originally joined Mumbai Indians in 2015 and won four titles before returning to captain the franchise in 2024, parted ways with the team following two turbulent campaigns marked by dressing-room discord and poor team finishes.
Arshdeep Singh, who has claimed 111 wickets in 96 matches for Punjab Kings, brings depth and death-overs expertise to Mumbai’s bowling attack. With Shreyas Iyer already captaining Punjab Kings, the trade bolsters Punjab’s middle-order and all-round capabilities, while providing Mumbai with proven left-arm seam variety.