Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra said that the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) might be the best franchises for Hardik Pandya heading into IPL 2027. He also stated that the all-rounder would get captaincy and middle-order spots in both franchises and could improve their fortunes as well.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “The good team will be KKR. He will get the captaincy there. He can manage the team in his own way. He can get set properly in that team. So, the best team for him is the Kolkata Knight Riders. However, who will Kolkata give to Mumbai, that’s a separate issue altogether.”

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“LSG won’t be a bad team for him. He would get captaincy and a good place in the middle order there. Once again, a franchise that needs a leader. He can slightly improve both teams’ future with his might. I am shortlisting those two teams. He won’t get captaincy in any other place. That’s the other thing. He may not actually enjoy that,” he further added.

However, Aakash Chopra virtually ruled out Hardik Pandya’s chances of going to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), but added that the Delhi Capitals could be an option.

“I feel he wouldn’t go to CSK now. I don’t think that story is transpiring after Zaheer Khan went there. Delhi still becomes a slightly viable option because, if a swap happens with Axar Patel, then there is a possibility,” the former KKR player said. Mumbai need Axar Patel extremely importantly. They want an Indian bowler who can bowl spin in the middle overs,” he concluded.