Former Indian spinner R Ashwin said that Mumbai Indians (MI) can trade captain Hardik Pandya to teams other than CSK and KKR. After the 2026 IPL season, Hardik Pandya trade talks made headlines, with CSK and KKR being reported as frontrunners to acquire the veteran all-rounder. However, Ashwin shared several other trade possibilities, including former MI star Ishan Kishan. He also said Punjab Kings (PBKS), Rajasthan Royals (RR) and SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH), among others, as viable options for the Hardik Pandya trade as well.

“MI can also look elsewhere other than CSK and KKR. MI can also try to deal Hardik with SRH for an Indian batter and an overseas/Indian bowler in return. They can ask for an Ishan Kishan, who was previously an MI player. Kishan and someone like Shivang Kumar will make it equal value for Hardik. Even a KL Rahul trade with DC is viable. So, it isn’t only with CSK and KKR that MI can try for a trade with,” said Ashwin on his YouTube channel.

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“They can ask PBKS for Marco Jansen or Azmatullah Omarzai, along with Priyansh Arya or Suryansh Shedge. That’s a very viable trade. Similarly, they can reach out to RR and ask for Yashasvi Jaiswal. It looked like Jaiswal didn’t really enjoy himself at the top with RR. MI could even ask for Dhruv Jurel and Tushar Deshpande in return for Hardik or Sam Curran, and Jaiswal/Jurel for Hardik,” he again shared.

R Ashwin also believes MI could hold trade talks with LSG to acquire Nicholas Pooran and an Indian pace bowler in exchange for Hardik Pandya. Pooran is among the most sought-after T20 batters in the world despite his poor campaign this season, where he averaged a poor 18 at a strike rate of under 128 as well.

“Nicholas Pooran also plays for MI franchises around the world. MI can also try to get him along with Prince Yadav or Mohsin Khan for Hardik. They are also looking for a captain, so getting Hardik could be beneficial for them also,” R Ashwin concluded.