Former Indian all-rounder R Ashwin commented on Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya’s trade possibilities to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after IPL 2026. Coming off another poor season under Hardik Pandya, MI have dominated the offseason with their captain connected to CSK and KKR in trade rumours.

Talking about the Hardik Pandya trade, Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, “Don’t count out Hardik going to a franchise other than CSK or KKR. The talks are that CSK will give Dube and a pacer, while KKR gives away Cameron Green. What happens if Green decides to focus on the Ashes next year? If I were MI, I would accept a deal with KKR on only one condition, which is getting Harshit Rana and Rinku Singh in return. That is the only way MI gets stronger.”

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“MI will also think who between CSK and KKR gets stronger through the Hardik trade. If CSK give away Dube and one Indian pacer to get Hardik, they get strong but not invincible. However, if KKR get Hardik, they suddenly look very strong. KKR will become a lethal batting lineup with Hardik. These are teams with five, five and three titles, so MI have to think how they can ensure one of these teams doesn’t leapfrog them,” he shared.

“MI are five-time champions, as are CSK and KKR, who are also three-time champions. So, if I am MI, why will I want to part ways with Hardik Pandya such that these teams do very well? Firstly, MI have to benefit to the point where they get stronger or at least remain even. Also, why will I strengthen another team?” said Ashwin.

“Even if Hardik himself has told MI that he wants to specifically go to a team, that doesn’t suffice. A player has the right to only tell his franchise that he wants to part ways with them. But he can’t specify which team he does or doesn’t want to go. Hardik is such a player that can take a team’s rating from 5 to 8 out of 10, so this deal will not close that early,” R Ashwin concluded.