Hardik Pandya’s possible PBKS move raises questions over team dynamics

Abhinav Mukund has questioned whether Hardik Pandya would be comfortable playing under Shreyas Iyer at Punjab Kings if traded from Mumbai Indians. He also discussed the impact on Suryansh Shedge and suggested Mohammed Shami as an alternative to Mohsin Khan

New Delhi: Former India batter Abhinav Mukund has questioned whether Hardik Pandya would be comfortable playing under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy if he is traded from Mumbai Indians (MI) to Punjab Kings (PBKS) ahead of IPL 2027.

IANS had reported on November 3 that PBKS were the frontrunners to secure the services of seam-bowling all-rounder Pandya through a trade deal, in exchange for sending left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh to MI. This news agency also reported on November 7 that the paperwork had been completed between the two teams and was awaiting formal approval from the BCCI and the IPL governing council.

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“It is very interesting because when you look back at the mega auction, they chose to spend a bulk of their money on three big players like Arshdeep, Shreyas and Chahal. So, if you don’t have faith in that core and want a better core to be retained, that’s where the all-rounder question comes in.

“So, if you go with the speculation, obviously, it’s a fact that Arshdeep Singh has been offered for Hardik Pandya. It’s a great deal for Mumbai, but it’s also a questionable deal for Punjab Kings because if Hardik comes to Punjab, does he play as just an all-rounder? Because I would think that he would play under Shreyas Iyer.

“So, there is that team dynamics question as well. Once again, is he okay with it? Has Shreyas had conversations about it? These are all things done behind closed doors. But, to be fair, that does a lot to the makeup of that side, and I have a feeling that they will definitely let go of Marcus Stoinis if he comes in,” Mukund said on JioStar.

Iyer led PBKS to the final of IPL 2025, where they lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). However, the franchise failed to make the playoffs last season. It will be hoping to go all the way when the tournament enters its 20th edition in 2027.

Mukund said Pandya’s arrival could also unsettle young seam-bowling all-rounder Suryansh Shedge, who might start wondering about his place in the playing XI.

“You are playing with a bunch of all-rounders in an Impact Player game and not as many specialist bowlers. We’ll have to wait and see what happens with these trades. Because if Hardik’s trade happens, I’m very curious to see how Suryansh would react.

“This is a guy who’s now playing for India A as an all-rounder, playing for India as an all-rounder, and is looked at as the next in line after maybe Nitish Reddy, Shivam Dube and then him. So, clearly, he must be thinking about whether he would get as many opportunities if that trade does happen.”

On reports linking PBKS to a trade for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan in exchange for seam-bowling all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, Mukund pointed to Mohsin’s fitness record and suggested that veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who recently retired from Tests, could be a better option for the franchise.

“The rumour mill that we have is saying that Marcus Stoinis could be traded and Mohsin Khan is what we’re hearing could be up for trade from LSG. But again, Mohsin’s fitness has been a concern. He’s never been fit for an entire season apart from the first one, probably. In his place, Shami could actually be a good trade, back to Punjab. LSG could do without Shami because they have multiple pace bowlers.”