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Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027 mini-auction is set to take place on December 16th at the Grand Hotel, Goa. Ahead of that, the retentions and trade deals are already taking place before the 17th of November. Amidst this, the blockbuster deal of Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh has happened between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI).
Hardik Pandya did not have the best of times in his second stint with MI, while Arshdeep has been the best T20I bowler for the India National Cricket Team. The left-arm pacer will join the likes of Jasprit Bumrah in the Mumbai side. The official announcement for the trade deal is yet to be made, and it is expected on Monday 9th November.
Rajasthan Royals was set to offer Yashasvi Jaiswal
As per reports from RevSportz, Mumbai Indians had four offers on the table for Hardik Pandya. There were three trade deals and one extension of contract at Mumbai. Hardik Pandya had an initial discussion with the five-time winners in June; it did not lead to any development of the deals. However, reports were circulating that he would leave MI at any cost.
Firstly, Rajasthan Royals (RR) was up there, as they were interested in getting the services of the star all-rounder, as he would also have gotten the leadership role, given that Riyan Parag has not been preferred by the new owners. The Royals were interested in offering their star opener, Yashasvi Jaiswal, in return for getting Hardik on the side, but it failed.
Why was Punjab Kings the best option for Hardik Pandya?
Next, it was Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) who were interested and were running as the favourites to claim Hardik Pandya; however, KKR was ready to offer Cameron Green and maybe a fast bowler, but not Harshit Rana. However, MI reportedly asked for Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, and later Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Harshit Rana; however, the deal collapsed.
Finally, Punjab Kings entered the race as they offered Arshdeep Singh in place of Hardik. This deal finally happened, and it turned out to be a blockbuster trade in IPL history, given the quality of players the two teams will get. Hardik will not get the captaincy in Punjab with Shreyas Iyer there and will play under him.
Hardik Pandya's contract extension at MI was also an option
Apart from the three trade deals, there was a fourth deal for the star all-rounder. staying on for one more year in Mumbai. However, this deal was not possible, though the franchise did not want the 33-year-old cricketer to leave the franchise.
All four options were looked at by both parties, the franchise and the player, and about 10 days ago the Punjab option was seen as the best, and they were formally approached. On Friday, the deal was closed. EOI was sent to the BCCI and is expected to be finished in the next 24 hours.
MI did not have the best of a time under Hardik’s captaincy. The franchise finished bottom of the table twice in the span of three seasons, and once they qualified for the playoffs. However, the best of the performances did not come despite being one of the best teams on paper.
How the Hardik Pandya trade unfolded. The entire sequence. Also it is important to state that the story of trade with Punjab was first put out by @karhacter In June first discussions happened between MI and Hardik. Early conversations. August September more conversations. 3 trade options were on the table. Rajasthan with Yashasvi Jaiswal. KKR with Cam Green and may be a fast bowler not Harshit. Punjab with Arshdeep. A fourth option was Hardik staying on for one more year. And this option was never and I insist never rejected by either side. @mipaltan never asked Hardik to leave while never saying no to the player considering his options outside of MI. All four options were weighed by both parties, franchise and player, and about 10 days back the Punjab option was deemed the best and they were formally approached. On Friday the deal was closed. EOI sent to BCCI and is expected to get concluded in next 24 hours. This is the exact sequence. @RevSportzGlobal
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) November 8, 2026
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