A high-profile swap between Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings was formally confirmed on November 11, 2026, sending Hardik Pandya to Punjab Kings at a retainer value of INR 18 crore, up from his previous figure of INR 16.35 crore, while Arshdeep Singh heads to Mumbai Indians at the same INR 18 crore valuation.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan responded to the deal, offering a measured take on what the Punjab Kings gain and what they now stand to lose. Pathan welcomed the batting reinforcement Pandya brings but was candid about the bowling challenge that follows Arshdeep‘s departure.
“With this trade of Hardik, Punjab get a really good middle and lower order power hitter. Their batting line up was already strong, but this makes them even stronger in that department. Their bowling is a real concern for me. They not only need to find a replacement for Arshdeep Singh but also need to invest in a good spinner going forward,” Pathan wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
With this trade of Hardik, Punjab get a really good middle and lower order power hitter. Their batting line up was already strong, but this makes them even stronger in that department.
Their bowling is a real concern for me. They not only need to find a replacement for Arshdeep…
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) November 11, 2026
Why does Pathan see Hardik Pandya as a batting asset for Punjab Kings?
Pandya’s overall IPL numbers justify the confidence Pathan expressed. Across 162 IPL appearances, he has struck 2,955 runs at a strike rate of 146.28 and taken 82 wickets, cementing his reputation as a genuine match-winner in the lower middle order.
However, his second stint in the Premier League with Mumbai Indians, covering three seasons from 2024 to 2026, told a more mixed story. In 39 matches during that period, Pandya managed 647 runs at an average of 21.53 and a strike rate of 147.82, with a best of 48 not out, and claimed 29 wickets at an average of 34. Mumbai finished 9th in 2024 under his captaincy, recovered to reach the playoffs in 2025, and the 2026 campaign also ran under his leadership. At Punjab Kings, Shreyas Iyer retains the captaincy, so Pandya is expected to focus purely on his role as a batting and bowling all-rounder in the middle order.
Having collected four IPL titles with Mumbai Indians across 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020, Pandya then steered Gujarat Titans to the championship in their debut season in 2022 and guided them to the final again in 2023 before his return to Mumbai Indians in 2024.
What does Arshdeep Singh’s departure mean for Punjab Kings’ bowling?
Arshdeep’s exit creates a gap that Pathan believes will not be easy to fill. The left-arm seamer joined Punjab Kings in 2019 and spent eight seasons with the franchise, finishing as their all-time leading wicket-taker with 111 wickets from 96 matches.
His recent form made the loss even sharper. Arshdeep took 21 wickets in IPL 2025 and added 14 more in the 2026 season, sustaining his status as one of the competition’s more reliable pace options over that stretch.
Pathan’s assessment points to a dual challenge for Punjab Kings: sourcing a left-arm seam replacement of comparable quality and investing in a quality spinner before IPL 2027 begins. Addressing both gaps through the auction will be central to how competitive the franchise can be in the coming season.
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