India’s cricket governing body, the Board of Control for Cricket in India, has formally sanctioned the player trade that will send Hardik Pandya to Punjab Kings and Arshdeep Singh to Mumbai Indians. An official announcement from both franchises is expected at any time, marking the conclusion of a process that gathered momentum across the first week of November 2026.
Reports of the trade first emerged on November 7, 2026, and the administrative formalities progressed steadily over the following days. As part of the BCCI-prescribed trade procedure, both Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings exchanged Expressions of Interest, satisfying the regulatory requirement that must precede ratification.
Sources within the BCCI have told Cricbuzz that the deal has received a formal sanction from the regulators involved. The deal reportedly faced delays due to delays in getting the papers signed by both players involved. The arrangement is a straight player-for-player exchange. No third player is involved, and both Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh have individually consented to the move.
Cricbuzz also reported that both the players will be earning the same salaries at their new franchises. Hardik was retained for INR 16.35 crore ahead of the 2025 Mega Auction, which will be the same salary he earns at the Punjab Kings. Arshdeep, who was bought by the Kings for INR 18 crore in the 2025 Mega Auction via the right-to-match (RTM) rule, and will earn the same amount with the five-time champions.
What does the trade mean for Hardik Pandya?
Hardik Pandya’s switch to Punjab Kings brings to a close an association with Mumbai Indians that spanned three years, during which he also held a leadership role at the franchise. He had been released by Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2026, and the trade now formalises his next chapter in the league under the Punjab Kings banner.
The all-rounder’s move to Mohali represents a significant shift in environment. Punjab Kings have long sought a player of his profile, one capable of contributing meaningfully with both bat and ball across the middle and lower order. The trade hands them a high-profile addition without the need to enter the auction process, while Hardik gains a fresh start at a franchise with its own ambitions heading into the next IPL season.
What does Arshdeep Singh bring to Mumbai Indians?
Arshdeep Singh joins Mumbai Indians as one of Indian cricket’s most accomplished white-ball bowlers. The left-arm fast bowler became the first Indian bowler to claim 100 wickets in T20 internationals, a landmark that firmly establishes his standing in the shortest format of the game.
His arrival at Mumbai Indians adds a proven option at both the powerplay and death-overs stages of an innings. Arshdeep has been central to Punjab Kings’ bowling plans across several seasons, and his departure marks a considerable change for that franchise even as they receive Hardik in return. With the trade now formally sanctioned, the balance of two of the IPL’s most prominent sides shifts ahead of the next season.
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