Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has raised questions over Hardik Pandya’s future at Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of the IPL 2027 auction. The former cricketer suggested that the five-time champions could consider trading their captain if they can get two quality players in exchange.
Mumbai Indians have struggled to reach the final in the last six IPL editions. The franchise will have several important decisions to make regarding their squad composition and leadership ahead of the next season.
Pandya has failed to lead MI from the front and the franchise has managed to reach the playoffs on a solitary occasion in the last three editions under his captaincy.
“If everything had gone well last season, looking at their team, you feel like, ‘Why change anything at all?’ They have the balance, they have the experience, they have the explosiveness. So why change? Maybe they need an Indian spinner or an Indian fast bowler, which they will find. But that’s all that they needed to do,” Chopra said on JioStar.
“But then the major talk of the town is the trade of Hardik Pandya. That is where it is going to start for MI in terms of their decision-making on retentions and releases because you don’t usually find a player like that. But what if, in his place, you get two?” he added.
On the other hand, the renowned commentator said Mumbai Indians will look to trade Trent Boult, who wasn’t at his best in IPL 2026.
“Five matches, two wickets, 11 and a half runs per over. That tells me that Trent Boult has to be released. 12.5 crore is a lot of money, and in exchange, you can get quite a few players, and many people won’t even need to be released. Hardik Pandya will be a trade; it’s not going to be a release or retention question. So, if, in exchange for him, you cannot find players, then you have to retain Hardik Pandya,” Chopra said.
“There is no doubt about it. But with Trent Boult, I don’t think there is any ambiguity; he has to be released. I can let go of Keshav Maharaj as well because they wouldn’t want both Santner and Keshav. But, again, let’s see if Hardik goes; who comes in his place,” he added.
IPL 2027 auction will be held in Goa in mid-December.
