Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has suggested that only two teams won’t be interested in trading in Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya. Chopra reckons defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad are the two franchises that might not want Pandya’s services.
However, Chopra reckons the other seven IPL teams might be interested in roping in Hardik Pandya through a trade deal. As per the reports, Mumbai Indians want to trade out Hardik Pandya ahead of IPL 2027.
“It seems all teams are interested, or such rumors are spreading. Only two teams don’t want him. They are RCB and the SunRisers Hyderabad. It’s been heard that everyone else, including the Gujarat Titans, is interested. I am just wondering whether the Gujarat Titans would also be interested. Who can those seven teams give to Mumbai?” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra reckons Kolkata Knight Riders might have to give two players among Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, and Anukul Roy for trading in Hardik Pandya.
“Mumbai doesn’t need an opener. You (KKR) have only Rinku Singh in the lower order, but that won’t be a direct swap. What will they get by taking Rinku and releasing Hardik, unless you can give either Harshit Rana or Varun Chakaravarthy with him? The best will be Rinku Singh and Harshit Rana. Harshit and Anukul will be the second-best combination, and the third-best will be to get Anukul with Rinku,” he observed.
The renowned commentator believes LSG can give the duo of Nicholas Pooran and Mohsin Khan and they can ask for Mitchell Santner along with Pandya.
“Who can LSG give? They can still give Nicholas Pooran, but Mumbai don’t need Nicholas Pooran alone that much. They will need either Mohsin Khan or Prince Yadav with him. They won’t give Prince. The minimum requirement will be Mohsin. They won’t settle on Akash Singh. LSG can also say that if they need Mohsin as well, give us Santner,” Chopra elaborated.
The former Delhi cricketer feels DC can trade out Axar Patel and Ashutosh Sharma for Hardik Pandya.
“Delhi can give Axar Patel. Along with him, a lower-order batter will be required. They will think about Ashutosh Sharma for sure. Can they give Axar and Ashutosh? Then I will sign the deal right away. Axar Patel will be a phenomenal asset, and if they get Ashutosh with him, lower-order batting as well,” he noted.
Chopra revealed the players that Punjab Kings can give to trade in Hardik Pandya.
“Who can Punjab give? Will Punjab give Arshdeep Singh? There will be interest if they give Arshdeep. You might ask for Nehal or Shashank along with him. Although Punjab’s bowling problem won’t get resolved with Hardik, the problem of experience can get solved. Will you want to give Marco Jansen? You can give Marco Jansen and Harpreet Brar with him,” he said.
The former KKR player reckons Yashasvi Jaiswal going to Mumbai Indians might not work.
“Yashasvi might have said that he wants to leave, but their problem doesn’t get solved with Yashasvi. I get it that he could be a future investment, as you would get a successor for Rohit Sharma, but their bowling problem and lower-middle-order problem because of Hardik leaving won’t get solved. Can they give Yash Raj Punja? Nah. Ravindra Jadeja – no. The like-for-like replacement story isn’t there here,” Chopra elaborated.
Chopra believes Mumbai Indians might be interested in roping in Kagiso Rabada and Rashid Khan, but GT won’t release them.
“Who can Gujarat give? I don’t think they will be interested in this trade, but Mumbai can ask for Rashid. However, it’s doubtful. You can also ask for Kagiso Rabada, but why would they release a Purple Cap-winning guy? In any case, I don’t think this is likely to happen because he went from the Gujarat Titans only. Why would you want to go down that route? Shubman Gill is doing captaincy. Why would you assemble two alphas in this team?” he observed.
The renowned commentator revealed the pair which CSK can trade out to Mumbai Indians.
“CSK’s Kasi Viswanathan has denied it, but if they want to give, Shivam Dube plus Anshul Kamboj, Ayush Mhatre plus Anshul Kamboj, Shivam Dube plus Khaleel Ahmed, and that’s about it. Urvil Patel and Anshul Kamboj. I am just thinking that they can get a top-order batter and either Anshul Kamboj or Khaleel,” Chopra concluded.
