The CSK (Chennai Super Kings) CEO, Kasi Viswanathan, has shut down the rumours of the franchise being in the race to sign Hardik Pandya on a trade.

Several reports have emerged that seven other franchises are interested in signing Hardik Pandya. Five-time winners Chennai Super Kings have reportedly entered the race for Hardik and are rivalling Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Chennai Super Kings finished eighth in IPL 2026. With concerns over Ruturaj Gaikwad’s captaincy following their failure to qualify for the playoffs in consecutive seasons, Hardik could be considered an ideal captaincy candidate.

CSK were involved in a high-profile trade last year, where Sanju Samson joined from the Rajasthan Royals in a swap trade for Ravindra Jadeja.

Apart from KKR, Rajasthan Royals are also interested in the all-rounder for Yashasvi Jaiswal, though the chances of the trade are highly impossible as the inaugural champions see Riyan Parag as their long-term captain.

However, Kasi Viswanathan has denied the talks regarding the trades of Hardik Pandya.

“We have not had any discussion. This will be done only after the season review, which will happen only after the MLC,” said Viswanathan.

The Chennai-based franchise own Texas Super Kings in the MLC, and most of the management are currently in the US for the 2026 season.

Hardik Pandya has been the centre of the trade speculation since the end of the IPL 2026 season, where the Mumbai Indians finished in the 9th position of the points table.

“Currently, we are not engaged in conversations about player trades; the same is only possible once the review is complete,” a spokesperson for the Mumbai Indians said in a statement.

“As with any review of this nature, a range of options and ideas will be evaluated before any decisions are made about players. Currently, we are not engaged in conversations with regard to player trades.

The same is only possible once the review is complete.”