Hardik Pandya unlikely to be handed captaincy if moved from Mumbai to Punjab ahead of IPL 2027

Hardik Pandya could be set for another franchise move ahead of the IPL 2027 season, but a switch from Mumbai Indians to Punjab Kings is not expected to restore him to a leadership role, according to reports on November 3, 2026.

Punjab Kings are in advanced talks with the five-time champions for a potential trade involving India pacer Arshdeep Singh that could see Hardik move to PBKS as a player, a PTI report said. An IPL source told PTI: "Talks are going on. Both parties (MI and PBKS) are keen to make it happen. Having said that, it is not a done deal yet." The player-retention window and trade discussions are taking place with the build-up to IPL 2027 under way.

Hardik's position at Mumbai has been unsettled after a disappointing three-season spell as captain. He returned to the franchise in 2024 and replaced Rohit Sharma as skipper; Mumbai finished ninth in his first season, winning just four of their 14 matches. The team has failed to reach the play-offs twice in the three seasons since his appointment.

Rohit is now expected to reclaim the captaincy for the 2027 season, while a previous report by The Indian Express suggested Hardik was willing to remain at Mumbai even if Rohit returned to the leadership role. The proposed trade with Punjab has introduced further uncertainty about Hardik's immediate future.

A move to Punjab would not necessarily offer Hardik a captaincy opening. Shreyas Iyer is expected to continue as PBKS captain after guiding the franchise to their first IPL final since 2014 in 2025; PBKS enjoyed a strong first half in the 2026 season but faltered towards the business end and missed out on a play-off spot. An IPL source told PTI: "With Iyer as captain, Hardik will come in only as a player and that has been conveyed clearly."

Punjab's reported interest in Hardik is said to stem from his all-round abilities and a desire to bolster bowling resources, but Arshdeep would represent a major departure for the franchise. The left-arm pacer has been closely associated with Punjab and is currently India's leading wicket-taker in T20 internationals. Hardik has also been managing multiple injury setbacks and has not played since the end of the last IPL season.

With the BCCI having extended the player retention deadline to November 17, both franchises have time to negotiate, and any trade would need to be resolved before the IPL 2027 mini-auction in Goa on December 16.