Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin named two players that the Mumbai Indians should get in exchange of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Notably, the Kolkata Knight Riders made a surprising entry in the trade talks for Pandya, giving it a fresh twist. Earlier, the Indians were said to have engaged in potential trade moves with the Chennai Super Kings. However, as per the latest development, Pandya would only accept the trade for captaincy, and the Super Kings weren’t able to give him that.
Now that the KKR is aiming to acquire Pandya, the spinning wizard has shared his opinion on whom should the five-time champions target in the trade talks. Ashwin was speaking on his Tamil YouTube channel, where he said that the Mumbai-based franchise should only consider business with the Knight Riders if it strengthens their own squad.
He said, "Don't count out Hardik going to a franchise other than CSK or KKR. The talk is that CSK will give Dube and a pacer, while KKR will give away Cameron Green. What happens if Green decides to focus on the Ashes next year? If I were MI, I would accept a deal with KKR on only one condition: getting Harshit Rana and Rinku Singh in return. That is the only way MI gets stronger," Ashwin said.
MI will also think about who between CSK and KKR gets stronger: R Ashwin
Emphasizing more on the potential blockbuster trade that could unfold, Ashwin said that the Mumbai Indians would also have to consider how stronger the rivals will get by only signing Pandya. "MI will also think about who between CSK and KKR gets stronger through the Hardik trade. If CSK give away Dube and one Indian pacer to get Hardik, they get strong but not invincible.”
He added, “However, if KKR get Hardik, they suddenly look very strong. KKR will become a lethal batting lineup with Hardik. These are teams with five, five and three titles, so MI have to think about how they can ensure one of these teams doesn't leapfrog them.”
Notably, the Chennai Super Kings recently announced parting ways with their head coach Steven Fleming after 18 years. On the other hand, the Knight Riders are aiming to build a strong team for a stronger IPL 2027 season after the retirement of Ajinkya Rahane, their captain.
