Indian batter Hanuma Vihari has named the franchise he thinks Hardik Pandya will surely join ahead of IPL 2027. Pandya led Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026 but could not lead from the front. There have been multiple reports, that suggest that Pandya can part ways with the five-time champions. 

Pandya scored 206 runs in 10 matches at an average of 22.89 and a strike rate of 138.25. 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.

Vihari reckons Punjab Kings can also target Hardik Pandya via a trade but thinks the all-rounder will all but move to Chennai Super Kings in a trade deal.

“They can trade an all-rounder as well, but the options are fewer. Hardik they won’t get. I think 99.9% he will go to CSK. They have to somehow find a foreign all-rounder, be it an Australian, an Englishman, or South African. I feel that is the only loophole as such, otherwise the team is still set,” Hanuma Vihari said on his YouTube channel.

CSK are in desperate need of an all-rounder, who can add the finishing touches for them, and Hardik has all the experience under his belt.

Meanwhile, Hardik rejoined the Mumbai Indians in 2024 after leading Gujarat Titans for two seasons and took over the captaincy baton from Rohit Sharma, who led the franchise to five titles. However, under his leadership, MI has failed to qualify for the playoffs in two out of the three seasons.

In IPL 2026, MI ended in ninth place in the standings with only four wins in 14 games.