Hardik Pandya trade talks involve Nicholas Pooran as five IPL franchises explore options
Hardik Pandya is at the centre of trade discussions involving Mumbai Indians and five other IPL franchises after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League 2026, the report said on 2026-08-10. Nicholas Pooran is among the players mentioned in connection with potential swap deals.
Pandya last featured in the IPL 2026 as captain of Mumbai Indians, a season in which the franchise finished ninth and failed to reach the playoffs for the second time in three seasons under his leadership. He has not played an international match since IPL 2026 while recovering from injury, has moved his training base to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and is reportedly close to full fitness. The all-rounder is expected to feature in the West Indies ODI series this September.
Multiple accounts say relations between Pandya and MI deteriorated during IPL 2026 and that team owners are not keen to retain him, prompting interest from other franchises. Despite approaches, those discussions remain at an early stage and Mumbai Indians have yet to decide whether Pandya will be made available for trade.
Before rejoining Mumbai Indians in 2024, Pandya captained Gujarat Titans in 2022 and 2023, guiding them to the IPL final on both occasions and winning the title in 2022. The 32-year-old has four IPL titles with Mumbai Indians and led Gujarat Titans to one championship.
Cricbuzz reported one possible swap would see Rajasthan Royals and MI exchange Yashasvi Jaiswal and Hardik Pandya, a move framed as addressing MI’s need for an Indian opener after Rohit Sharma while supplying RR with a finisher. Other franchises have been linked to different permutations involving Pandya.
Delhi Capitals have been named as a team that could offer Axar Patel for Pandya, with reports suggesting KL Rahul could become DC’s captain and thereby facilitate such a move. Kolkata Knight Riders are said to be interested but reluctant to part with marquee players; Cameron Green has been mentioned as a potential makeweight, though his availability is described as uncertain because of the Ashes after IPL 2027.
Lucknow Super Giants, searching for a new captain following the trade of Rishabh Pant, are reportedly weighing a deal that would send Nicholas Pooran the other way for Pandya. Chennai Super Kings were linked in reports proposing a swap involving Hardik and Shivam Dube plus another CSK player, but CSK have maintained they have not seriously considered Hardik and say the decision will rest with their new coach.
No franchise has issued an official announcement and talks are ongoing; Mumbai Indians have not yet confirmed whether Pandya will be traded and he may ultimately remain with the franchise. Pandya’s expected participation in India’s forthcoming West Indies ODI series in September is the next confirmed development noted in these reports.