Hardik Pandya’s potential trade has entered a decisive phase, even as Mumbai Indians have ruled out the possibility of Suryakumar Yadav being exchanged for another player. Speculation around a potential Suryakumar swap, similar to the reported Pandya trade, has been doing the rounds in sections of the media.
The T20 World Cup-winning India captain may not have enjoyed his best season last year, scoring 270 runs in 13 matches, but he was instrumental in Mumbai Indians’ campaign in 2025, amassing 717 runs in 16 games. The MI management, however, do not appear to have any intention of letting him go.
“SKY is not up for trade, and there have been no discussions, nor will there be,” MI sources said. The franchise, however, remained non-committal on a potential swap involving Pandya and Punjab Kings pacer Arshdeep Singh. PBKS sources, too, have maintained silence on the matter, without dismissing the possibility of a trade involving their premier fast bowler and MI’s captain over the last three seasons.
Rajasthan Royals may also have entered the picture, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ravi Bishnoi reportedly among the names that could feature in discussions. However, Mumbai Indians are understood to be more interested in a deal that brings them a frontline fast bowler. It remains unlikely that Rajasthan would consider parting ways with Jofra Archer, although there is no suggestion that MI have approached the franchise for the England pacer.
While the perception so far has been that Mumbai are looking to strengthen both their batting and bowling departments, it has now emerged that a tearaway fast bowler could be their primary requirement. This comes after underwhelming returns from Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar last season.
Boult managed just two wickets in five matches, while Chahar picked up eight wickets in eight games. Chahar had taken 11 wickets in 14 matches in 2025. It would therefore not be surprising if the five-time champions consider releasing one of the two, with Boult potentially more vulnerable. However, the franchise still has around two weeks to make that decision.
Mumbai, meanwhile, are not short of batting options. Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Sherfane Rutherford, Naman Dhir and Will Jacks, along with Mitchell Santner, who can also contribute with the bat, give the franchise considerable depth. Most of them are likely to feature in the playing XI, which could explain why MI have not seriously pursued a player such as Chennai Super Kings’ Ayush Mhatre, who may not have a guaranteed place in the starting XI.
There were also discussions with Kolkata Knight Riders over a possible exchange involving Harshit Rana and a batter for Pandya. However, KKR were reportedly unwilling to part ways with the fast bowler.
Arshdeep, who has led India’s T20I pace attack in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, appears to fit Mumbai’s current requirements. Discussions over a possible exchange have reportedly taken place, but Pandya’s own preference could emerge as a factor.
A move to Punjab may not necessarily guarantee Pandya the captaincy, with Shreyas Iyer already leading the franchise. A switch to Rajasthan, on the other hand, could potentially offer him the opportunity to captain the side. Whether a player gets a say in a trade, however, remains debatable. From Mumbai’s perspective, the Punjab proposal could be the more attractive option.
For now, the Punjab Kings management are unwilling to commit and have reportedly sought time to consider the proposed deal. However, a decision may not be far away, with the next 48 hours expected to be crucial.
