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Hardik Pandya's future in the Indian Premier League (IPL) remains under a lot of uncertainty. According to recent updates, the Mumbai Indians (MI) are yet to decide which direction they should take on the matter of their skipper.
Since the inclusion of the IPL 2026 season, speculation has suggested that the skipper and the pace-bowling all-rounder of MI have reportedly wanted to move to a different team. Multiple franchises are believed to be in the conversation with the star Team India cricketer.
Mumbai Indians are yet to finalize the future of Hardik Pandya
Cricbuzz, in its latest report, confirmed that multiple franchises are in advanced discussions with the Mumbai Indians for Hardik Pandya, but nothing is finalized yet.
MI will have to finalize whether to keep Pandya for another season. If they want to release him ahead of the IPL 2027 season, then the franchise is required to close in a deal with any of those franchise who are currently involved with them for the all-rounder.
A few months ago, Hardik Pandya was reportedly linked with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Some claims even suggested a deal between MI and CSK was on the verge of being confirmed. However, nothing has been finalised yet, as the recent report stated.
The changes in CSK's coaching set-up has beleived to have put some impact of a possible trade deal between these two teams. CSK has appointed the former Team India fast bowler Zaheer Khan as their head coach, whose personal terms with Pandya may not be in a very good state. But the presence of the legendary keeper-batter, MS Dhoni, could play a vital role if Mumbai Indians agree to make a deal with Chennai Super Kings for Pandya.
Hardik Pandya remains out of action with multiple injury concerns
Meanwhile, Pandya is yet to return to the India National Cricket Team. He has been at the BCCI's Center of Excellence (CoE) since the conclusion of the 2026 Indian Premier League campaign. Because of multiple injuries, his return has been postponed on multiple occasions. Pandya was scheduled to take the field for the India A cricket team, but that also did not materialize as he continues to feel discomfort. It will be interesting to see when the 33-year-old will finally makes hismself available for an official match.
During the IPL 2026 season too, he missed multiple matches because of injury and fitness-related concerns. Pandya is currently sidelined with a symptomatic right tibial bone stress response and right calf discomfort. His last feature in match on May 24, 2026 for an IPL 2026 match between the Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders.
Final decision on Hardik Pandya soon
The Cricbuzz report also mentioned that MI will have to take their final decision on Pandya soon as they will have to confirm their list of retained nad list of released players soon, ahead of the players' auction. The players' auction is likely to be held in India.
As the retention deadline is on November 17, situations around Hardik Pandya can change quickly in the upcoming couple of weeks.
