‘Only player comes to mind is…’ - Aakash Chopra on which player KKR can offer to MI for Hardik Pandya’s trade

Former India batter Aakash Chopra has given his thoughts on the potential trade for the current Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the IPL 2027 season. 

There have been rumours circulating online about a possible trade between the two highly successful franchises for Hardik Pandya, with KKR co-owner reportedly wanting Pandya in the KKR side for the upcoming season.

Highlighting the same development, Aakash Chopra stated that even if KKR wants Hardik Pandya, MI won’t do the all-cash deal and would want someone in return for the star all-rounder. And believes that the three-time champions does not have a suitable player to offer in exchange. 

"Who will Mumbai want? Mumbai don't do all-cash deals. They might take someone, but they won't want to give anyone. They will want someone in return. They will need a lower-middle-order batter who can bat like Hardik Pandya. Do Kolkata have someone like that?" Chopra said on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra’.

Hardik Pandya is primarily a finisher with the bat, therefore Rinku Singh remains the only viable option for a possible trade. But, with Tilak Verma’s presence it will not make sense, according to Chopra.

"The only player who comes to your mind is Rinku Singh. Rinku Singh and Tilak Varma are almost like-for-like, and Tilak Varma also plays at No. 5 or No. 6 now. So with Tilak being there, they won't gain much by Rinku coming in," he added.

He further believes that MI management would love to have Varun Chakravarthy in their bowling unit.

"You can correct one weakness, and that is bowling. They need a spinner and a fast bowler. Kolkata, you have Varun Chakaravarthy, but will you give him? Varun Chakaravarthy's numbers at the Wankhede aren't very good, but he is a gun bowler. So you assume he will adjust and will be an asset," he further continued.

The other option he suggested was KKR pacer Harshit Rana. He believes that Harshit is an upgrade over Hardik in bowling and will give MI a solid option.

"The second is Harshit Rana. He is not like-for-like, but a definite upgrade in bowling if you compare him with Hardik Pandya. He doesn't bat as well, but he can do a job at the end like Corbin Bosch. More importantly, you definitely need a bowler. You can still manage with overseas players in batting," Chopra concluded.

Hardik Pandya had a poor IPL 2026 both as batter and as captain for MI. He only managed to score 206 runs with a strike rate of 138.26, while picking up just four wickets.