Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin believes the Mumbai Indians (MI) will not agree to trade Hardik Pandya to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) without including Ayush Mhatre in the deal ahead of IPL 2027.
The five-time champions have been linked with a potential move for the MI skipper following their disappointing IPL 2026 campaign. Ashwin believes CSK will have to make a strong offer to convince Mumbai to release the all-rounder.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin explained that MI could demand multiple players in exchange for Pandya, including Mhatre, Nathan Ellis, Urvil Patel.
Ashwin said, “MI obviously won’t accept only Shivam Dube for Hardik Pandya. They will want Mhatre along with Dube. I don’t think MI will proceed without Mhatre. CSK could try other options too, like offering Dube and Ellis for Hardik. Ellis will be a great replacement for Boult, and he’ll be a great death-bowling partner for Bumrah. If MI don’t accept that also, CSK should try with Dube, Ellis and Urvil Patel. That way, MI will get a keeper-batter too.”
“CSK must remember that to get a player like Hardik, MI have to believe they are also getting stronger through the trade. So they have to offer something MI can’t refuse. A multi-player deal both ways also might be a possibility. CSK could give Dube, Ellis, Urvil, and another pacer for Hardik and Deepak Chahar in return. That way, CSK will get a new-ball bowler and someone who has played for them in Chahar. This strengthens both teams.”
The former CSK player said MS Dhoni relationship with Hardik Pandya could come into the picture for the possible trade.
“CSK have to make some sort of bumper offer to beat those from the other teams. They must offer three players to get Hardik. Dhoni’s relationship with Hardik could come into the picture and sway it CSK’s way. I can’t help but feel this relationship factor could make Hardik come to CSK. But for that, they’ll have to offer two or three players,” said Ashwin (via the aforementioned source).
IPL 2027 auction will be held in Goa on December 15 and 16.
