Hardik poised to switch from MI to PBKS in swap deal for Arshdeep

The deal has not yet been finalised, but once it goes through MI will have a new captain for the 2027 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). That makes the trade one of the more significant moves of the off-season, because it affects both the playing squad and the leadership of the franchise.

In the IPL, a trade lets franchises exchange players outside the auction. A swap like this one, where each side gives up one player and receives another, allows both teams to reshape their squads around specific needs without competing for those players on the open market. Trades are agreed between the franchises and the players involved before they are formally completed.

For MI, the arrival of Arshdeep would add a new player to their ranks, while Hardik's departure would leave the captaincy open for the next campaign. For PBKS, the deal would bring Hardik into their squad ahead of IPL 2027.

Who will lead MI next season, and the full terms of the exchange, have yet to be confirmed.