Hardik Pandya will don the Punjab Kings (PBKS) jersey for the first time in his career in IPL 2027. The star all-rounder has left Mumbai Indians (MI) and joined PBKS for Rs 18 crore before the IPL 2027 mini-auction. Pandya was also rumoured to join Chennai Super Kings (CSK), but it didn't happen. Following the official announcement regarding Pandya's trade, Subramaniam Badrinath has revealed the reason why CSK couldn't sign him. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Badrinath said that CSK didn't have good enough players to offer to MI in return.

"CSK fans will be very disappointed. We spoke a lot about how brilliant it would be if Hardik came to CSK. But we know why it did not happen. They did not have good enough players to offer in return. You have to give something to get something. That is the only reason," he said.

PBKS traded Arshdeep Singh to MI in exchange for Pandya. Arshdeep is PBKS' homegrown player. He joined the Punjab-based franchise in the IPL 2019 mini-auction and was retained ahead of the IPL 2022 mega-auction.

PBKS released him before the IPL 2025 mega-auction. They used their Right to Match (RTM) card on Arshdeep at the mega-auction to retain him for Rs 18 crore.

Hardik Pandya got a salary hike of Rs 1.65 crore in the trade. MI retained him for Rs 16.35 crore before the IPL 2025 mega-auction. He joined PBKS for Rs 18 crore. Arshdeep will continue to earn Rs 18 crore.

Pandya, who kicked off his IPL career with MI in 2015, was shockingly released ahead of the IPL 2022 mega-auction. He joined Gujarat Titans (GT) and captained them to a title win in their debut season. GT finished as the runners-up in IPL 2023.

Pandya made a shocking return to MI as captain before IPL 2024 and led them in three seasons. MI failed to play a final under him. They traded him to PBKS after three seasons.