Which IPL Teams Could Target Hardik Pandya if MI Trade Him?

After Chennai Super Kings defeated Mumbai Indians by eight wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on May 2, one moment away from the match quietly caught fans’ attention.

Cameras showed Hardik Pandya deep in conversation with CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan on the field, and it did not take long for social media to start connecting dots. The speculation grew stronger because Viswanathan had a similar public interaction with Sanju Samson during IPL 2025, before Samson eventually made his move to Chennai ahead of this season.

No one knows if the same story could unfold with Pandya, but the rumours have continued to gather momentum. Reports suggest early trade talks involving the MI captain have already started behind closed doors. Lucknow Super Giants are believed to be interested and have reportedly even discussed a leadership role for him. However, Mumbai Indians are said to want Nicholas Pooran and Prince Yadav in return, a deal that could prove difficult to pull off.

Kolkata Knight Riders have also been linked with Pandya as they continue searching for a long-term captain. His experience, Indian core value, and ability to contribute with both bat and ball make him an attractive option, though MI’s possible demands involving names like Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh, or Angkrish Raghuvanshi could complicate any potential move.

How Has Mumbai Indians Performed Under Hardik Pandya in IPL 2026?

Individually, in nine matches, the MI captain scored 172 runs at an average of 21.50 and a strike rate of 128.36, without registering a single fifty. With the ball, he picked up only four wickets while conceding runs at an economy of 11.43, making it one of his toughest IPL campaigns in recent years.

And as a team, under Hardik Pandya, Mumbai Indians have endured one of their toughest IPL seasons in recent years. MI were eliminated from the playoff race after managing just four wins in 13 matches, while suffering nine defeats and finishing near the bottom of the table with only eight points and a net run rate of -0.510.