Hardik Pandya Joins Punjab Kings In Blockbuster IPL Trade
Hardik Pandya has moved from Mumbai Indians to Punjab Kings for Rs 18 crore in a major player exchange ahead of the next IPL season. In return, Punjab have traded left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh to Mumbai Indians for Rs 18 crore, completing one of the biggest deals in the tournament’s history.
Pandya’s existing fee was Rs 16.35 crore, while Arshdeep’s price remains unchanged. The trade was confirmed in an IPL statement on Wednesday.
Pandya’s Trade Fee Increased To Rs 18 Crore
The two franchises mutually agreed to increase Pandya’s trade fee by Rs 1.65 crore. Under IPL rules, the all-rounder will receive 50 per cent of the increase, with the remaining amount going to Mumbai Indians.
A transfer fee is agreed between the two franchises and is separate from the retention fee, which is the salary paid to the player.
The move brings an end to Pandya’s second stint with Mumbai Indians, where he won four IPL titles. First signed by the franchise in 2015, he played a key role in their championship campaigns in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020.
After seven seasons with Mumbai, Pandya joined Gujarat Titans for Rs 15 crore in 2022 and captained them to the title in their debut season. Gujarat also reached the final in 2023 before he returned to Mumbai in 2024 and took over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma.
Mumbai Indians Bid Farewell To Pandya
Pandya’s return to Mumbai was followed by a difficult period. He faced criticism from supporters after replacing Rohit as captain, while the team’s results and reports of dressing-room tensions added to the pressure.
Mumbai managed only four wins in 14 matches in the latest season, with Pandya missing the closing stages of the league due to fitness concerns.
Despite the recent struggles, the 33-year-old remains an established match-winner. He has scored 2,955 runs at a strike rate of 146.28 and taken 82 wickets in 162 IPL matches.
“Hardik has shared some very special moments with Mumbai Indians. We have seen him grow as a cricketer, make his mark on the world stage and then return to lead the team,” MI owner Akash Ambani said.
“I have great respect for him, both as a cricketer and as a person, and wish him nothing but the very best for everything that lies ahead,” he added.
Arshdeep Singh Moves To Mumbai After Eight Seasons
Arshdeep joins Mumbai Indians after spending eight seasons with Punjab Kings. Since making his IPL debut in 2019, the 27-year-old has developed into one of the competition’s leading left-arm fast bowlers.
With 111 wickets in 96 IPL matches, he is Punjab’s all-time leading wicket-taker. He claimed 21 wickets in the 2025 season and followed it up with 14 scalps in the latest edition.
Arshdeep is also India’s leading wicket-taker in T20 internationals, with 151 wickets in 104 matches.
Punjab Kings acknowledged his contribution with a farewell message: “Some laughs, endless memories and a whole lot of madness! Thank you, Arsh for the memories.”
The high-profile exchange gives Punjab an experienced all-rounder in Pandya, while Mumbai strengthen their pace attack with one of India’s leading T20 bowlers.
