“My captain Shreyas”: Hardik Pandya’s 1st reaction after joining Punjab Kings for IPL 2027

Hardik Pandya has shared his first reaction after joining Punjab Kings(PBKS) ahead of IPL 2027. The all-rounder posted a picture of himself in the Punjab Kings jersey on Instagram after the IPL officially confirmed his move from Mumbai Indians. He also made it clear that he is ready to play under captain Shreyas Iyer.

“Sat Sri Akal, My Captain. Shreyas. My Coach. Ricky. My team. All of Punjab. I am standing behind you,” Hardik wrote in his Instagram post. His message showed his support for Shreyas Iyer, head coach Ricky Ponting and the entire Punjab Kings team. The post has also given fans their first glimpse of Hardik’s new journey with the franchise.

Hardik will join Punjab Kings for INR 18 crore, while Arshdeep Singh will move to Mumbai Indians at his existing fee of INR 18 crore. The trade brings an end to Hardik’s second stint with MI, where he won four IPL titles across two spells. Now, the big question is what Hardik Pandya can bring to Punjab Kings as they look to win their maiden IPL trophy.

Hardik Pandya’s reaction after joining Punjab Kings: What did he say?

Hardik Pandya shared his first reaction to the PBKS move shortly after the IPL confirmed the trade on Wednesday. He posted a picture wearing the Punjab Kings jersey and addressed Shreyas Iyer as his captain. His caption also mentioned coach Ricky Ponting and showed his support for the entire Punjab team.

The message, “Sat Sri Akal, My Captain. Shreyas. My Coach. Ricky. My team. All of Punjab. I am standing behind you,” made his position clear. Hardik will play under Shreyas Iyer in IPL 2027 after leading Mumbai Indians for three seasons. His words also showed that he is ready to focus on his role as an all-rounder rather than captain the side.

Hardik has enjoyed success with both Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans during his IPL career. He first joined MI in 2015 and was part of four title-winning teams before moving to Gujarat in 2022, where he led the franchise to the title in its first season. Across 162 IPL matches, he has scored 2,955 runs at a strike rate of 146.28 and taken 82 wickets.

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What Hardik Pandya’s arrival means for Punjab Kings in IPL 2027

Hardik's arrival gives Punjab Kings an experienced Indian all-rounder who can make a difference with both bat and ball. He has scored 2,955 runs at a strike rate of 146.28 and picked up 82 wickets in 162 IPL matches.  His ability to finish games and bowl important overs could give PBKS more balance in IPL 2027.

Playing under Shreyas Iyer could also allow Hardik to focus more on his cricket. Shreyas led Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL 2024 title and guided Punjab Kings to the IPL 2026 final, while Ricky Ponting will continue to lead the coaching setup. The combination of Shreyas Iyer, Ricky Ponting and Hardik Pandya gives Punjab an experienced group as they prepare for the new season.

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However, Punjab Kings have also lost an important bowler in the trade. Arshdeep Singh leaves the franchise as its all-time leading IPL wicket-taker, with 111 wickets in 96 matches, and his departure will leave a gap in the pace attack. PBKS will now need to find the right bowling combination while making the most of Hardik’s all-round skills in their push for a first IPL title.