Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has revealed that KKR players which Mumbai Indians might want in exchange for Hardik Pandya after IPL 2026 if the two teams agree for a trade deal. Chopra reckons Mumbai Indians can ask for Rinku Singh in exchange for Hardik Pandya but they already have a similar batter in Tilak Varma.
Chopra highlighted that five-time champions don’t usually release players on all cash deal. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians ended IPL 2026 in ninth place in the standings and according to reports, the franchise wants to release their captain after he could lead from the front.
Pandya scored 206 runs in 10 matches at an average of 22.89 and a strike rate of 138.25 in IPL 2026. Furthermore, he could only pick four wickets in 10 games at a high economy rate of 11.42. Thus, he could not deliver consistently for the franchise.
“Who will Mumbai want? Mumbai don’t do all-cash deals. They might take someone, but they won’t want to give anyone. They will want someone in return. They will need a lower-middle-order batter who can bat like Hardik Pandya. Do Kolkata have someone like that?” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“The only player who comes to your mind is Rinku Singh. Rinku Singh and Tilak Varma are almost like-for-like, and Tilak Varma also plays at No. 5 or No. 6 now. So with Tilak being there, they won’t gain much by Rinku coming in,” he added.
The former KKR batter reckons MI would be interested in roping in Varun Chakravarthy but wondered if the three-time champions will be willing to release the mystery spinner.
“You can correct one weakness, and that is bowling. They need a spinner and a fast bowler. Kolkata, you have Varun Chakaravarthy, but will you give him? Varun Chakaravarthy’s numbers at the Wankhede aren’t very good, but he is a gun bowler. So you assume he will adjust and will be an asset,” he observed.
The renowned commentator reckons MI can also look to trade in Harshit Rana to solve their seam-bowling issues.
“You can correct one weakness, and that is bowling. They need a spinner and a fast bowler. Kolkata, you have Varun Chakaravarthy, but will you give him? Varun Chakaravarthy’s numbers at the Wankhede aren’t very good, but he is a gun bowler. So you assume he will adjust and will be an asset,” he observed.
On the other hand, Chopra reckons KKR has valid reasons to rope in Hardik Pandya as the franchise hasn’t been able to fill the big shoes of Andre Russell since his IPL retirement.
“Why would Kolkata need Hardik? Kolkata have valid reasons. I feel Kolkata should ask for him because, since the time Andre Russell left international cricket, they have missed him, and they haven’t been able to find anyone like him. You tried Rovman Powell, and although Powell is attacking, he doesn’t bowl. He is also an overseas resource,” he said.
Chopra feels Hardik Pandya can be an upgraded version of Andre Russell, as he can perform multiple roles for KKR.
“So if you get an Indian, why not? Hardik Pandya can be their captain and middle-order batter. Andre Russell’s like-for-like replacement, if not an upgrade. He can be an upgrade because he is an Indian, is a clutch player, and will have a slightly bigger role than Andre Russell, and if he is the captain, it’s automatically an upgrade. So all these things will be great from Kolkata’s point of view,” Chopra observed.
It would be interesting to note the final decision of both teams if the trade is confirmed.
