Hardik Pandya to Punjab Kings, Arshdeep Singh to Mumbai Indians in IPL's biggest trade

Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings have completed the biggest trade in IPL history ahead of IPL 2027. Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has moved to Punjab Kings, while India pacer Arshdeep Singh has joined Mumbai Indians. The BCCI has officially confirmed the trade. The deal has changed the equation for both franchises ahead of the coming season.

Punjab Kings have signed Hardik for Rs 18 crore, which is Rs 1.65 crore more than his current fee. Along with his batting and fast bowling, Hardik brings captaincy experience to Punjab. His arrival could further strengthen the team's middle order and all-rounder department. Hardik has scored 2,955 runs and taken 82 wickets in 162 IPL matches.

Hardik's second stint with Mumbai Indians has now ended. He first joined the franchise in 2015. With Mumbai he won four IPL titles, in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. After seven seasons at Mumbai, he moved to Gujarat Titans in 2022 and led the team to the title in his first season there. Gujarat also reached the final in 2023. Hardik then returned to Mumbai in 2024 and took over the captaincy.

Mumbai Indians, for their part, have signed Arshdeep Singh. He will join Mumbai on his current fee of Rs 18 crore. He is counted among India's leading T20 bowlers. Arshdeep was part of the Punjab team for eight seasons. He made his IPL debut for Punjab Kings in 2019, and with 111 wickets in 96 matches became the franchise's highest wicket-taker.

Arshdeep is known for swinging the new ball and for containing runs in the death overs. He is India's highest wicket-taker in men's T20 internationals. His T20 experience could therefore prove useful to Mumbai.

The trade gives Punjab Kings an experienced Indian all-rounder who also has captaincy experience. Mumbai Indians have signed one of the most successful bowlers in Indian T20 cricket. With two major Indian internationals swapping teams, the trade is the talking point of the build-up to IPL 2027.