Cricket fans have been speculating about Hardik Pandya’s next move after the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season ended. The 32-year-old hasn’t done well since his return to the Mumbai Indians ahead of the 2024 season.

The Men in Blue and Gold finished ninth in the points table in the last season. 

Former Indian spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin has waded into reports of the all-rounder heading east to play for the Knight Riders. The 39-year-old took to his YouTube channel and said that the five-time IPL winners should ask for batter Rinku Singh and bowler Harshit Rana in what could be a huge trade deal. 

Ashwin said, “Let us not count out Pandya going to Chennai or Kolkata.

It is said that Super Kings are set to give MI Shivam Dube and a pace bowler. They will get stronger to a certain extent, but if Hardik does go to Kolkata, they will become stronger, especially in their batting.”

“There are rumours that Cameron Green will head back to Mumbai, but what happens if Green decides to skip IPL and focus on the Ashes that is supposed to take place next year? Mumbai should accept a deal with KKR under only one condition. They should ask for Rinku and Harshit in return for Hardik.

That is the only way they can get stronger.”

For now, it is all speculation regarding a potential trade between the two sides. Ambani-owned franchise has stayed tight-lipped over their current skipper’s future.

Where did reports of Hardik’s trade to KKR come from?

Revsportz’ Rohit Juglan suggested that Kolkata Knight Riders is looking to sign Hardik ahead of the next season. Three-time IPL winners want someone to lead the side after the retirement of Ajinkya Rahane from all formats of the game last week.

Juglan took to his Instagram handle and said: “Pandya could be seen playing for KKR next season with the side being the front-runner for his signature.”

He also added, “Where the deal has stalled with Chennai Super Kings, we will cover it in a different video, but Pandya will join Kolkata as a captain.

Since the retirement of Rahane and even before that, KKR have been in search of a captain. And in Hardik, they have a candidate who has won the title not only as a captain but also as a player. He is also capable of being the game-changer with the bat and ball.”