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The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is over, and international cricket has been back for months now. However, despite there being no buzz about the IPL, the off-season trade deals are still making the headlines. Hardik Pandya is leading the headlines due to his recent trade rumours. Former India chief selector Kris Srikkanth has shared his views on Pandya’s rumours.
Hardik has been reported to leave five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) after the end of the last season. He has not had the best of times post his return to the franchise. Since being appointed as the captain, the franchise has failed to qualify for the playoffs twice and finished in the bottom half of the table.
Kris Srikkanth wants CSK to let go of Shivam Dube for Hardik Pandya
There has been a three-way tussle to acquire the services of Pandya, with CSK, KKR and DC in the race. Kris Srikkanth, while discussing on his YouTube channel Cheeky Cheeka, stated that he is happy to let go of Shivam Dube from Chennai Super Kings to MI to get Hardik from the Blues; the former India captain will be happy if the move takes place.
"If I were CSK, I'll happily send Shivam Dube to MI. I'll almost invite MI and plead with them to take Dube if I were CSK. But I doubt if MI will accept this trade as it'll be a fantastic move only for CSK."
"Whether MI lets him go is still a question as well. Hardik will have unbelievable public support with CSK, unlike MI. But will MI do this and allow CSK to become stronger than them?"
"Hardik Pandya will be a fantastic fit"- Kris Srikkanth on Hardik Pandya's possible move to CSK
Kris Srikkanth also believes that Hardik will be a good fit for the franchise as they do not have a proper middle-order batter who can bowl around 130+ in the games and can pick wickets with the new ball and in the middle overs. Kris Srikkanth calls the former India captain a 3D player with bowling, batting and captaincy as well.
"Hardik will be a fantastic fit for CSK. He is the only all-in-one package that covers a middle-order batter, pacer and captain. He's among the only genuine all-rounders at the world level. He has been a key factor in so many title runs with MI and India. CSK will benefit a lot with Hardik Pandya as they'll boast a fearsome top five with Samson, Gaikwad, Mhatre, Brevis and Hardik."
"I don't think he can go to GT again"- Kris Srikkanth on Hardik Pandya's return to GT
Kris Srikkanth, in the same video, stated that he will not go to the Gujarat Titans (GT) as the franchise would not let Shubman Gill hand over the leadership role to Pandya again, and the latter has the right to urge for captaincy in whichever franchise he lands in.
"Hardik Pandya is right to want captaincy wherever he goes. He almost won it twice for GT as captain. But I don't think he can go to GT again. It's more rumours than any truth to it. GT already have Holder in the middle order, who is doing a good job as the all-rounder. So why will GT go for Hardik Pandya? That move is practically not possible," said Srikkanth
