The IPL 2027 mini-auction is drawing closer, and franchises are working hard to reshape their squads before the retention deadline of November 17, 2026. The BCCI extended that deadline due to the India–New Zealand Fifth ODI fixture, giving teams a brief additional window to finalise any player movements.

Three names have dominated trade conversations in recent days: Hardik Pandya, Marcus Stoinis and Liam Livingstone. Meanwhile, the outcomes of these deals are closely interlinked, with one transfer potentially triggering a chain of further moves across multiple franchises.

Here are the Top 3 trade deal rumours ahead of the retention deadline:

3. Liam Livingstone (SRH to CSK)

Ahead of IPL 2027, Chennai Super Kings are understood to be exploring the possibility of bringing England all-rounder Liam Livingstone into their setup. The Chennai-based franchise is looking to add more firepower to their middle order, and Livingstone's ability to clear the boundary quickly, combined with his dual spin options of leg-spin and off-spin, has made him an attractive target.

Sunrisers Hyderabad currently hold Livingstone's services, and any deal would require an agreement between CSK and SRH. However, no confirmed arrangement between the two franchises exists at this stage, and the rumour remains unverified beyond initial reports.

2. Marcus Stoinis (PBKS to LSG) for Mohsin Khan

Another deal that has gained traction is a potential swap involving Marcus Stoinis and Lucknow Super Giants left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan. Stoinis currently represents Punjab Kings, and his role at the franchise could shrink considerably if Hardik Pandya arrives. If PBKS complete the Pandya transfer, the franchise is reportedly looking to bring Mohsin Khan across from LSG, with Stoinis moving in the other direction. Stoinis has previously represented Lucknow Super Giants, making a return a familiar proposition for the Australian all-rounder.

For Punjab, the logic behind pursuing Mohsin is straightforward: if Arshdeep Singh departs as part of the Hardik deal, PBKS would need to reinforce their domestic pace resources, and Mohsin fits that requirement. However, this second deal remains entirely dependent on how the larger Pandya transfer unfolds, and no agreement between PBKS and LSG has been confirmed at this stage.

1. Hardik Pandya (MI to PBKS) for Arshdeep Singh and Vishnu Vinod

The biggest trade story circulating ahead of the November 17, 2026 deadline centres on a proposed swap between Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings. Several reports indicate that PBKS have moved ahead of rivals such as KKR, Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants in the race to secure Pandya. Negotiations between the two franchises have advanced considerably, with senior management on both sides understood to have reached broad agreement on the exchange.

Under the proposed arrangement, Pandya would join Punjab Kings while Arshdeep Singh and Vishnu Vinod head in the opposite direction to Mumbai Indians. For Mumbai, landing Arshdeep would provide a significant boost to their pace attack, while Vishnu Vinod, who appeared in four games for MI during IPL 2023, would add wicketkeeping cover.

Pandya has not featured in competitive cricket since IPL 2026, having been sidelined by a series of injuries, the most recent being a shin problem that ruled him out of India A's one-day series against Australia A in Puducherry. However, if the MI–PBKS talks do not materialise, Pandya would not mind another season at MI, possibly under Rohit Sharma's captaincy, ahead of the next mega auction.