IPL 2027: Aakash Chopra predicts Hardik Pandya's new IPL team

After another forgettable IPL season, the Mumbai Indians franchise has now almost confirmed that they will part ways with Hardik Pandya. Hardik captained the Mumbai Indians after returning in 2024, but the team reached the playoffs only once and finished at the bottom in two seasons. Now, if some reports are to be believed, Kolkata Knight Riders are showing the most interest in Hardik Pandya at the moment. Many former cricketers are suggesting different franchises for Hardik.

Now, in this regard, former cricketer Aakash Chopra also expressed his opinion and said that Mumbai Indians should trade Hardik Pandya with Lucknow Super Giants. He said that MI should exchange Nicholas Pooran and Mohsin Khan from LSG in exchange for Hardik. MI can think about giving Hardik Pandya.

You (LSG) can keep him as a captain or a middle-order batsman. You lack all-rounders, and you will get an all-rounder, but we need two things from you in return. Give us Nicholas Pooran because he is part of the MI setup. So they know how to handle Nicholas Pooran," Chopra said.

"The Wankhede Stadium will suit him as well. We need Mohsin Khan along with him. They won't let Prince Yadav and Mayak Yadav go. Mohsin is a tall bowler and gets extra bounce. Can they ask for him from them?" he added.

He said that if LSG wants, they can also ask for Mitchell Santner along with Hardik Pandya from Mumbai Indians, which will make LSG a strong team.

"Then LSG might also turn back and say that Hardik alone won't do, but we need Mitchell Santner as well. It is not a bad thought because they have Kuldeep Yadav, but if they get Mitchell Santner as well, with Kuldeep, Santner, and Hardik, suddenly LSG will start looking like a robust unit," he observed.

However, he added that perhaps neither Mumbai Indians nor Lucknow Super Giants would agree to a two-player swap.

“The other team will have Nicholas Pooran and Mohsin Khan. Again, not a bad swap. If that discussion is happening, it's a very good trade. Both teams might not agree. MI might not at all be ready to let Mitchell Santner go, and LSG might not be ready to let Mohsin Khan go, and the Hardik and Nicholas Pooran trade might not seem that exciting for MI," he said.

"If you look at it from MI's perspective, they won't need Nicholas Pooran alone. They need him if they get him along with either Mohsin Khan or Prince Yadav. Nicholas Pooran alone won't be of great use to them, and the other team is also saying that it would be enjoyable if they get Mitchell Santner with Hardik Pandya. So this could be a potential swap, is what I am thinking," Chopra added.