Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has shared the trade routes Mumbai Indians (MI) could take with Hardik Pandya before IPL 2027. He also named Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans, and Rajasthan Royals as potential trade options, each with a different return package. Ashwin also said that KKR offers him the captaincy option. He also reported linking Pandya with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), KKR, Rajasthan Royals, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), and Delhi Capitals, among others as well.

Talking about this, Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel: “KKR have great potential because Hardik can also become the captain there. They could offer Varun Chakaravarthy for him. But as long as Abhishek Nayar is there, I don’t think Varun will move from KKR. Harshit Rana and Rinku Singh could be other options. With RR, it could be Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sam Curran, or Brijesh Sharma or Tushar Deshpande. It could also be Jaiswal with Yash Raj Punja or Bishnoi.”

“MI desperately need an Indian keeper. They will also look to strengthen their bowling, which has been dismal the last few years. PBKS with Omarzai could interest MI. No one is talking about GT, but they could get involved by giving Rashid Khan for Hardik,” he shared again.

Ravichandran Ashwin also believes LSG aren’t in the running for the Hardik Pandya trade despite reports suggesting as many as six teams are looking for the veteran all-rounder. He also hasn’t played competitive cricket since IPL 2026 because of recurring injuries as well.

“There are as many as six teams in battle for Hardik Pandya, is what I hear. But I don’t think that’s the case, as LSG aren’t in the race. It’s mainly CSK, KKR, RR, GT and PBKS. I also think captaincy isn’t a must for Hardik anymore in his next franchise. He will just want to go to the ideal franchise for him, as he’s keen to move on from MI,” Ravichandran Ashwin concluded.