Mumbai Indians (MI) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) have confirmed the transfer of Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh for the upcoming IPL 2027 season. Both players will join their new teams on a fee of INR 18 crore, according to the official IPL statement.
Hardik Pandya leaves MI, where he has captained since 2024, to join PBKS. Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh transfers from PBKS, the team he’s been with since his IPL debut in 2019, to MI, forming a promising bowling partnership with Jasprit Bumrah.
This swap reflects each team’s strategy for the future. Hardik’s fee has increased from INR 16.35 crore to INR 18 crore as part of the deal, while Arshdeep maintains his existing contract fee. The trade was expected after both franchises submitted an expression of interest to the league.
For Hardik, PBKS will become his third IPL team. Having begun his IPL career with MI in 2015, and after a stint with Gujarat Titans (GT) when the league expanded to ten teams in 2022, he returned to MI in 2024. Hardik’s tenure with MI includes five IPL titles, four with MI and one with GT. However, under his captaincy, MI have faced mixed fortunes, finishing last in 2024, reaching the playoffs the following year, but only managing a ninth-place finish in 2026. Over 39 matches as captain, MI won 15 times while losing 24.
In contrast, Arshdeep has completed 96 matches throughout eight seasons with PBKS, taking 111 wickets, the highest for any bowler in the team’s history. His move to MI marks a significant change for both him and the franchise.
This transfer coincides with MI’s broader overhaul of their leadership and management, now led by Kieron Pollard as head coach following Mahela Jayawardene’s departure. The new support team includes Robin Uthappa as batting coach, Mitchell McClenaghan as bowling coach, and T Dilip as fielding coach, setting the stage for a fresh chapter at MI.
Both players anticipate new beginnings with their respective teams, underscoring the ever-evolving nature of the IPL.
