‘My captain Shreyas, my coach Ricky’: Hardik Pandya’s first comment after joining Punjab Kings

Hardik Pandya (BCCI Photo) NEW DELHI: Hardik Pandya has made his first public comment after joining Punjab Kings (PBKS) ahead of the IPL 2027 season.Pandya moved from Mumbai Indians (MI) to Punjab Kings for Rs 18 crore. In return, PBKS traded fast bowler Arshdeep Singh to MI.The deal was finalized ahead of the IPL season 2027. Pandya’s new fee of Rs 18 crore is higher than his earlier fee of Rs 16.35 crore. Arshdeep has moved to MI for an existing fee of Rs 18 crore, according to an IPL statement.The all-rounder shared a message on Instagram mentioning his new captain Shreyas Iyer, coach Ricky Ponting and the team.“Sat Sri Akal. My captain. Shreyas. My coach. Ricky. My team. Entire Punjab. I stand behind you,” Pandya wrote.The move marks the end of Pandya’s second stint with Mumbai Indians, where he won four IPL titles.Pandya first joined MI in 2015 and played a key role in their winning campaigns in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. He returned to the franchise in 2024, taking over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma. However, MI struggled in this period.

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Share an opinionIn 162 IPL matches, Pandya has scored 2,955 runs at a strike rate of 146.28 and taken 82 wickets.

Arshdeep moves to Mumbai Indians

Meanwhile, Arshdeep joins MI after spending eight seasons with Punjab Kings. He made his IPL debut for PBKS in 2019 and became one of the premier left-arm fast bowlers in the competition.He has taken 111 wickets in 96 IPL matches and is the all-time leading wicket taker for Punjab Kings.