IPL 2027: With seam-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya heavily in the conversations amid IPL 2027’s trading window, a massive development has emerged. According to reports, the Baroda-born cricketer has accepted a pay cut to move to the Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹15 crore despite being retained by the Mumbai Indians for a sum of ₹16.35 crore ahead of IPL 2026. But how much truth there is to these reports?
IPL 2027: Has Hardik Pandya accepted a pay cut to the join the Kolkata Knight Riders?
The 32-year-old has reportedly been in the plans of multiple franchises including the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Rajasthan Royals, but the former have categorically denied being interested in the all-rounder ahead of IPL 2027. Nevertheless, the Knight Riders seem to be heavily interested in bringing Pandya in their ranks but one of the earlier reports also claimed that the seam-bowling all-rounder will play for the three-time champions only if Abhishek Nayar is removed from the role.
🚨 Announcement 🚨
Hardik Pandya and Cameron Green complete high-profile trade between @mipaltan and @KKRiders .
Hardik Pandya all set to join #KKR at INR 15 Crore whereas Cameron Green will rejoin #MI at INR 15 Crore.
More Details ▶️ https://t.co/IlvJFI7yLE… #TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/yNyx8dbXy6
— IPI_ (@arrestagarkar) June 24, 2026
However, the claim that the Mumbai Indians captain has accepted pay cut to join the Knight Riders is completely false as of now as there is no reliable source for the same. The X account also stated that Cameron Green, who once played for the Mumbai Indians, will return to the franchise in the trade. The lanky Australian all-rounder became the highest-paid overseas player in the auction, fetching ₹25.20 crore from the Knight Riders. While he performed decently, the three-time champions missed out on a playoffs spot for the second consecutive season.
IPL 2026: How did Hardik Pandya perform for the Mumbai Indians?
While the Mumbai Indians finished at 9th with only four wins in 14 matches, Pandya’s returns with both bat and ball left a lot to be desired too. In 10 games, the 32-year-old managed only 206 runs at 22.89 alongside a decent strike rate of 138.26. With the ball, he managed only four wickets at 64.75. Mumbai Indians’ four wins came against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Gujarat Titans and the Punjab Kings.
The inconsistent run of Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma also hurt the five-time champions significantly. Hence, they may need to undergo a revamp the following season. In more trading news, Rishabh Pant has returned to the Delhi Capitals, while Kuldeep Yadav will ply his trade for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
