With Hardik Pandya travelling to Mohali and Arshdeep Singh travelling in the opposite direction, a one-for-one player trade between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians is about to become official. Both players have given their written approval to the deal, and both teams have submitted their Expressions of Interest in accordance with the BCCI-mandated transfer system. The arrangement does not include a third party.
With the planned deal, Arshdeep will join the five-time winners, and Hardik will return to a new team following his second spell with the Mumbai Indians. However, before the agreement is formally verified, the BCCI must ratify it. According to an IPL insider, the trade has been finalised, and Hardik is excited to play for Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer.
BCCI states, “Only players whose names are included on an EOI Confirmation and for whom a signed Consent Form has been received by the BCCI may be traded.”
After Deepak Chahar’s lacklustre performances in recent IPL seasons, the Mumbai Indians determined that Arshdeep Singh was the missing component in their pace attack. In white-ball cricket, Arshdeep is considered by many to be India’s best new-ball operator. His ability to bowl well at the end of an innings makes him valuable at every stage.
Pandya joins a team that has significantly increased in stature at Punjab Kings. In the 2025 season, Punjab Kings advanced to their first IPL final since 2014 under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, who has solidified his position as the team’s leader over the previous two seasons. Pandya’s versatility is anticipated to further strengthen that team, and his experience winning the India captaincy highlights the calibre of player the team will be welcoming.
The trade’s financial terms have not been made public. As an honourable mention, Jasprit Bumrah is still a key component of the Mumbai Indians’ strategy, and going into IPL 2027, his partnership with the upcoming Arshdeep Singh will be one of the most carefully watched bowling combinations.
