MI and PBKS complete Hardik Pandya–Arshdeep Singh trade ahead of IPL 2027 auction

The Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Punjab Kings (PBKS) have completed their successful swap of Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh ahead of the auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027. The MI captain, who has had the responsibility since the 2024 season, moved to PBKS. 

Meanwhile, the left-arm pacer of India, Arshdeep, who moved out of his first and only franchise so far in the IPL, Punjab Kings (PBKS), since his debut in 2019, moved to the MI side, where he will form a mouth-watering new-ball pairing with the premier pacer, Jasprit Bumrah. 

The BCCI-approved swap between Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh for INR 18 crore each

Hardik Pandya will join Punjab for a fee of INR 18 crore, up from the existing fee of INR 16.35 crore, while Arshdeep will join Mumbai at his current fee of INR 18 crore, as the IPL statement has expressed. The trade was reportedly completed last week, with both the teams placing an expression of interest with the IPL.

Hardik’s move from MI leaves the side in search of a new captain in 2027. He debuted for MI in 2015, and once the league was expanded in 2022, he represented the Gujarat Titans (GT) besides leading them to the champions in 2022 and runners-up in 2024.

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Under Hardik, MI ended at the bottom of the points table in 2024 but made the playoffs in 2025. However, they ended at the ninth rank in 2026. In 39 matches with Hardik as the captain since 2024, MI have won 15 and lost 24.

Arshdeep Singh played 96 games across eight editions for Punjab. He collected 111 wickets for them, which is the most by any bowler for the side in its 19 seasons of the competition. 

How both teams benefited from the Hardik-Arshdeep swap

Both teams have benefited massively from the swap between Hardik and Arshdeep before the IPL 2027 auction. Hardik’s removal may see Rohit Sharma back in the leadership of the side towards the fag end of his career, having played as a player in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

With the inclusion of Arshdeep, Mumbai will use him along with India's Bumrah in the powerplay. If they continue to go with Trent Boult, it will be a premier pace attack in the league and can challenge all opponents.

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On the other hand, PBKS will have three marquee all-rounders in the side. Apart from Hardik, they will have Azmatullah Omarzai and Marco Jansen in the side, which gives them a strong balance in the playing eleven.