Former Indian cricketer turned commentator Aakash Chopra has reacted strongly to reports of an advanced swap deal between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) involving all-rounder Hardik Pandya ahead of the IPL 2027 auction.

“Hardik Pandya to Punjab Kings, huh? And from Punjab Kings, Arshdeep Singh and Vishnu Vinod to Mumbai Indians. I mean, rumors are circulating that it is a very advanced-level conversation, and something like this could happen,” Chopra said in a video uploaded to his X handle. “And I’m thinking, uh, which team is going to be happier with this? And will it actually start another trade thing? Because connected to it, there are several wires linked together.”

“See, in my opinion, actually Mumbai Indians will be quite happy if, alongside Bumrah, they get Arshdeep; along with them, Deepak Chahar is there, and Corbin Bosch you already have. I mean, uh… the numbers will become massive, man. Bumrah and Arshdeep in the same team—this is, brother, Team India’s bowling line-up! What better could you ask for than this?” Chopra further added.

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Chopra also questioned Punjab’s squad balance amid ongoing trade reports involving MI all-rounder Hardik Pandya ahead of IPL 2027 as well.

“If something like this happens — because Punjab’s weakness itself is their bowling. And if they let Arshdeep go from that, then they will have to make some other trades. Then maybe Marcus Stoinis will have to be let go, because how many all-rounders do you need? Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Azmatullah Omarzai, uh, you also have Suryansh Shedge. I mean, how many all-rounders plus Hardik Pandya? I mean, what will you do with so many all-rounders?” Chopra remarked.

“So give Marcus Stoinis to someone else. Could it be LSG? Could it be, uh… I mean, the Gujarat team? Because Gujarat has fast bowlers to offer; Lucknow has fast bowlers to offer. Both need a batter in the middle order,” he concluded.