3 Franchises That Should Acquire Hardik Pandya via Trade After IPL 2026

After a disastrous season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya is reported to part ways with the franchise. The fast bowling all-rounder had a disappointing season with both bat and ball.

In 10 matches, Hardik Pandya managed to score only 206 runs and took just 4 wickets to his name. The five-time champions under his captaincy finished ninth in the points table after winning just 4 out of 14 matches. MI became the first team, alongside Lucknow Super Giants, to get eliminated from the playoffs ahead of their last league stage fixtures.

Suppose Mumbai decides to trade Pandya ahead of the next IPL season in 2027, several franchises will be keen to add him to their squad.

Let’s take a look at those three teams that stand out as the potential contenders to acquire Hardik by offering a few players in exchange or by paying a transfer fee. 

1. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG):

After finishing at the bottom of the points table for the first time in IPL history, Lucknow Super Giants could bring in Hardik Pandya to replace Rishabh Pant as captain.

Moreover, LSG failed to qualify for the playoffs for the third consecutive time, twice under Pant’s captaincy.

To acquire a player of Hardik’s caliber, a cash deal won’t suffice for LSG. They would need to exchange multiple players alongside Pant, including Nicholas Pooran and Mayank Yadav. This could enhance their chances to secure the 32-year-old’s services via a blockbuster trade to bolster the Super Giants’ middle-order batting and fast bowling attack.

Also, having an experienced star T20I all-rounder like Pandya as captain could enhance the brand value of the franchise. His ability to play a best finisher’s role under pressure and bowl lethal yorkers ignites hopes for LSG to secure a consistent playoff spot.

2. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR):

Ever since Kolkata Knight Riders released Shreyas Iyer, the franchise suffered elimination from playoffs in back-to-back IPL seasons under Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy.

The three-time champions started the season with five consecutive defeats. Despite a late resurgence, the Knight Riders failed to earn a playoff spot and suffered yet another poor season.

After Andre Russell’s departure, the middle-order of the KKR batting line-up has been easily exposed. To bolster the batting and bowling unit, the Knight Riders require an experienced candidate who can fit the leadership role as well.

To secure Pandya’s services, Kolkata can exchange the Australian all-rounder Cameron Green to the Mumbai Indians. This could be the ideal like-for-like replacement as well as an opportunity for KKR to open up a new dimension in the batting and bowling department.

3. Delhi Capitals (DC):

Under Axar Patel’s captaincy, Delhi Capitals struggled in back-to-back seasons. A decent first half and a lackluster second half of the IPL 2025 and 2026 seasons paved the way for the Capitals’ elimination from the playoff race.

While DC’s top-order batters have been explosive, the upper and lower middle order have failed to deliver any impactful performances. Most often, the entire batting line-up was easily dismantled when their reliable batters failed to convert their starts into big scoring knocks.

However, adding a premium seam bowling all-rounder like Hardik Pandya can fit well into the role of a destructive finisher and lethal pacer against any opponent. His presence in the squad alongside the spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel will help DC solve their middle-order woes to transform into a well-balanced and formidable team.

As Delhi boasts several match-winners in the squad, the cash deal is the only option to acquire Pandya by paying the transfer fee.

Franchises That May Not Acquire Hardik Pandya

While LSG, KKR, and DC emerge as the strongest contenders to trade Hardik, a few franchises may not consider including the all-rounder in the squad, such as:

1. Sunrisers Hyderabad
2. Punjab Kings
3. Chennai Super Kings
4. Royal Challengers Bengaluru

This is because the above-listed franchises boast a tightly packed batting and bowling line-up mixed with youngsters and experienced candidates. Accommodating another high-profile player in the playing XI becomes extremely challenging, which could disrupt the well-balanced combination of the team.

Overall Opinion: Hardik Pandya’s Trade Promises to Benefit Franchises in IPL 2027

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