The India National Cricket Team all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been recovering from injury at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Amidst his recovery, there have been trade talks between him and multiple TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises. It is believed that Pandya wanted a return to the Gujarat Titans (GT) from the Mumbai Indians (MI).
Hardik Pandya has been the most in-demand player since IPL 2026. He reportedly has been in a three-way race ahead of IPL 2027, as three franchises, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Delhi Capitals (DC) were in the race. However, as reported, KKR was leading the race to acquire Pandya’s services.
Hardik Pandya’s return to GT is impossible
As per the report from the Indian Express, Hardik Pandya wanted a return to his former franchise, Gujarat Titans; however, the franchise rejected it as he wanted to re-join the franchise as the captain. He had a fine year with the franchise as captain back in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, leading them to back-to-back finals.
According to the reports, the Titans were keen to bring him back to the side. But they did not want him to replace the current skipper Shubman Gill, who has also done well with the franchise, and thus Pandya’s ask for captaincy made the talks break down.
Pandya led the Titans to their only trophy in the 2022 edition and lost the final in 2023 against CSK. A GT representative was contacted regarding this; however, the person refused to comment.
“The franchise was fine with him making a return. They had even discussed the same with its captain Shubman Gill, and he, too, had agreed that the franchise could trade him back. But when his condition of captaincy was put up, everyone said no to it,” said a source.
“No direct conversation”- Hardik Pandya’s spokesperson on trade rumours
Pandya’s representative had denied all the rumours and trade talks; as per the spokesperson, there has been no direct approach made by any franchise; if made, it has all been made to the Mumbai Indians (MI).
“Hardik Pandya had no direct conversation with any franchise whatsoever regarding transfer trade, or otherwise. If any approach has been made to him, that has been directed to the MI franchise,” Pandya’s spokesperson said.
Hardik Pandya had a poor relationship with MI
Pandya has had a poor relationship with MI in recent times, post his return to the franchise, and being appointed as captain in 2024, he did not have the best of times, as in two of the three seasons the five-time champions finished at 10th and 9th in the league table and once they qualified for the playoffs.
This showcases the whole scenario of the team, as the management was not happy with Pandya. The thing came into public after MI’s last game in 2026 against Rajasthan Royals (RR).
“The coaching staff was very clear in their message to the senior players that wherever they play, they need to be coachable. There were many instances where the coaching staff recommended something which was backed by data but players didn’t follow it,” a source had told The Indian Express.
