Hardik Pandya joins Punjab Kings; calls Shreyas Iyer 'My Captain' after November 11 swap
Hardik Pandya has joined Punjab Kings ahead of IPL 2027, the move confirmed on November 11; Arshdeep Singh moved to Mumbai Indians in a direct player swap.
Pandya will represent his third IPL franchise after earlier stints with Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans. He began his IPL career with Mumbai Indians in 2015, moved to Gujarat Titans in 2022, returned to Mumbai Indians in 2024 and led the team for the last two seasons. Across 162 IPL matches he has scored 2,955 runs and taken 82 wickets, and he has won five IPL titles, including the 2022 championship with Gujarat Titans.
After the trade was announced Pandya posted a message on social media welcoming Punjab and endorsing the team's leadership, writing: "Sat Sri Akal, ਪੰਜਾਬ ♥️ My Captain. Shreyas. My Coach. Ricky. My team. All of Punjab. I am standing behind you."
Punjab Kings signed the all-rounder from Mumbai Indians for Rs 18 crore, the club said, completing the swap deal that sent Arshdeep Singh to Mumbai Indians. The move follows Pandya spending the last three seasons with Mumbai Indians.
There had been discussions about a possible captaincy role after his arrival, but Pandya's post explicitly named Shreyas Iyer as his captain and mentioned head coach Ricky Ponting, signalling his support for the existing leadership group.
Punjab Kings will add Pandya as an experienced option in the middle order and with the ball; the franchise will hope he can make a strong contribution in IPL 2027.
