Mumbai Indians’ blockbuster summer of 2023 remains one of the most talked-about moments in IPL history: the franchise engineered a high-profile trade to bring Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans. The deal also set off a reshuffle at the top level, with Cameron Green moving to Royal Challengers Bengaluru to clear space, while Hardik returned to a familiar home. It was the same franchise where he had risen to stardom, and after guiding Gujarat Titans to the title as captain and then finishing as runners-up in the following season, it felt almost inevitable that he would be handed the captaincy reins after Rohit Sharma.
Yet the reception around that transition quickly soured. Fans grew increasingly unhappy with decisions made by the team leadership, and results on the field failed to provide relief. The tension spilled over at Wankhede Stadium, where a section of supporters booed Hardik during matches. The next two IPL seasons did little to smooth matters. Even though MI ended the 2025 campaign in fourth place, the relationship between the crowd and the squad never fully stabilized.
As if the atmosphere wasn’t already fragile, injury concerns and persistent off-field chatter surrounding Hardik added more strain to an environment that was already tense. The combination created what many would describe as a recipe for trouble. After a ninth-place finish in 2026, reports suggest Mumbai Indians are prepared to remove Hardik from the captaincy role, with multiple outlets also indicating he may be ready to move to another franchise following a breakdown in relations with the team management.
Hardik Pandya’s likely IPL 2027 landing spots
With the IPL potentially preparing for another major trade cycle, here are the frontrunners for where Hardik could fit best if a move becomes unavoidable in IPL 2027.
Lucknow Super Giants
Lucknow Super Giants have struggled to get their captaincy picture to click, and if recent reports are accurate, they may be left with a leadership vacuum after the current season. Rishabh Pant commanded a reported ₹27 crore at auction, but his impact has not matched expectations—both in his batting contributions and in the captaincy role. In that scenario, Hardik could become an attractive option for LSG as a new on-field leader. If Pant were to be released, the franchise would still have ample funds to make a straightforward move. Should the talks lean toward a trade, LSG could explore a package built around Nicholas Pooran along with an Indian fast bowler.
Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals also appear to be searching for stability at the leadership level, with Axar Patel’s position under question. If KL Rahul is not inclined to take on the captaincy again, Hardik Pandya could be the spark DC needs to restart the team’s momentum. A potential trade could even involve a direct swap—Hardik and Axar switching places—which would offer value to both franchises. For Hardik, the move would strengthen DC’s balance with both bat and ball, while for the team it could provide a long-term captaincy solution.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Kolkata Knight Riders delivered a late fightback before ultimately finishing seventh, led by Ajinkya Rahane. However, uncertainty remains over whether the veteran will continue as captain. After Shreyas Iyer departed following the 2024 triumph, KKR were effectively pushed toward using Rahane as the captain. The last two seasons have not been kind to the side, and adding a high-profile player like Hardik could be exactly the kind of boost KKR are looking for.
One storyline that would add extra intrigue to any transfer is the potential role of Cameron Green again. The suggestion is that a broader trade could once more bring Green into the middle of negotiations—potentially paving the way for the Australia all-rounder to return to Mumbai Indians.
Chennai Super Kings
There are no confirmed developments yet, but chatter around Hardik’s next step has picked up momentum. Some supporters have been drawn to signs from an Instagram story and comments made by R Ashwin, leading to growing belief that Chennai Super Kings could be a possible destination. With Ruturaj Gaikwad struggling to settle into captaincy duties, Sanju Samson has often been mentioned as an alternative option if CSK choose a different route—but Hardik would provide another strong pathway, including a high-impact all-round skill set.
CSK’s recent recruitment has not delivered the expected outcomes: the addition of Prashant Veer has not gone to plan, and Shivam Dube’s disappointing form makes the case for Hardik even more compelling. While the number of players who could realistically be involved in a trade may be limited, an all-cash deal remains a plausible angle if the franchise decides to pursue him.
Rajasthan Royals
On paper, Rajasthan Royals look like a franchise that might not overhaul much of its setup. However, a closer look reveals possible pressure points that could make Hardik’s arrival worth exploring. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been capturing attention with an aggressive batting approach, and that has placed Yashasvi Jaiswal in a more precarious position in the batting order.
Since Mumbai Indians have been linked with a long-running interest in Jaiswal, the situation could create openings for a larger exchange between the two franchises. There’s also an additional factor: Rajasthan Royals will have new owners in IPL 2027. If they decide that captaincy needs a bigger name, Hardik has been flagged as a candidate who could potentially take over from Riyan Parag.
