IPL 2027: Hardik Pandya set to join KKR? Here’s the update

Following the Mumbai Indians' dismal performance in IPL 2026, there have been persistent reports suggesting a parting of ways between Hardik Pandya and the franchise. An official announcement regarding this seems imminent. Recent reports indicate that both Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) are keen to bring Hardik Pandya into their respective squads. Discussions regarding a potential swap deal have already taken place between KKR's top management and the Mumbai Indians' owners.

Hardik Pandya's stint as captain did not yield significant benefits for the Mumbai Indians. Under his leadership, the team reached the playoffs only once over three seasons, finishing at the bottom of the table in two of those seasons. Meanwhile, KKR has struggled over the past two seasons and is currently seeking a new captain. After Shreyas Iyer's departure, the team's leadership was handed to Ajinkya Rahane, but the team's performance remained poor. Under Ajinkya Rahane's leadership at KKR, Rinku Singh has been appointed vice-captain, but it is highly unlikely that the management will hand over the team's reins to him, and it is almost confirmed that Rahane will be released soon by the franchise. 

Consequently, KKR is eager to acquire Hardik. A few reports indicate that MI are asking for Ramandeep Singh and Angkrish Raghuvanshi from KKR in exchange for Hardik. 

It will be interesting to see whether KKR secures him through an all-cash trade or a player-swap deal. Recently, Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants completed a trade involving Rishabh Pant and Kuldeep Yadav, marking Pant's return to Delhi Capitals after two years.

"However, it has been learned that KKR has again approached MI's top leadership, and there have been a few rounds of discussion," the source informed. 

Apart from KKR, the inaugural IPL champions, Rajasthan Royals, have also shown interest in Hardik Pandya. Reports suggest that a trade involving Hardik Pandya and Yashasvi Jaiswal could be on the cards. However, Rajasthan Royals have handed the team's reins to Riyan Parag—who led the side to Qualifier 2 in IPL 2026—making it highly unlikely that the captaincy would be taken away from him. This clearly implies that even if Hardik Pandya were to join the Rajasthan Royals, he would not be given the captaincy. Consequently, it seems more probable that Hardik Pandya might join KKR rather than RR.

It will be very interesting to see which team Hardik Pandya eventually joins. And if he is simply released by the Mumbai Indians without being signed by any other team, this all-rounder from Baroda will head to the IPL auction, where a massive bid for him is all but certain.