MI won’t miss Hardik Pandya much: Claim ex-IND batter as PBKS approaches

Will Mumbai Indians miss Hardik Pandya? Well, not much, according to Aakash Chopra. The former India batsman feels Mumbai Indians can manage without the star all-rounder in the side as his deal with the Punjab Kings nears completion. India Today has learned that the deal to send Hardik to PBKS is almost done with MI getting Arshdeep Singh in exchange.

Both the teams have already communicated their intention to the BCCI, with the deal expected to receive formal approval in the next 24 to 72 hours, subject to the completion of administrative formalities by the board. The move will bring down the curtains on a torrid run during the all-rounder’s second stint in Mumbai.

Hardik failed to lead MI to the playoffs last season and questions were raised over his captaincy during the IPL 2026 season. Chopra said on his YouTube channel that MI can do without Hardik.

The former India batsman hinted that Mumbai will have enough batting depth in their ranks even if Hardik leaves and they can easily bring Will Jacks into the mix.

“It’s a serious attack. Will they miss Hardik? Kill me for saying it, they won’t miss that much. You know how much I like Hardik Pandya, but the truth is they can do it. When you see their batting, Rohit Sharma comes in with either Ryan Rickelton or Quinton de Kock. Then you have Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Dhirford, Na Sherfane and Sherfane’s middle and depth. in the batting, you can easily play Will now Jacks,” he said in a video on his YouTube channel.

Chopra also suggested that MI will release Trent Boult along with Hardik ahead of the IPL 2027 auction.

NO CAPTAIN FOR HARDIKA IN PUNJAB

Despite the sensational deal to bring Hardik on board, PBKS will not hand over the captaincy to him. Punjab will remain captained by Shreyas Iyer next season.

for ME, Rohit Sharma is expected to return as captain for the team after a three-year absence.

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