Real or Fake! Are MI & CSK set to trade Hardik Pandya & Shivam Dube ahead of IPL 2027?

Hardik Pandya is the captain of MI, while Shivam Dube has been a key player for CSK.

Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube are amongst the prominent seam-bowling all-rounders of the Indian Cricket Team. The duo has played a crucial role with bat and ball for the national side and helped them win many big games on their own. Both of them are also active in the Indian Premier League (IPL), representing Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), respectively.

Pandya is leading Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026. Under his captaincy, the five-time champions have witnessed a horrible season, winning just two games out of nine so far. They languish at the ninth spot in the points table and the chances of their qualification to the playoffs are very slim.

Shivam Dube has been a key all-rounder for Chennai Super Kings over the years, but has struggled to make a mark in the ongoing season. He has scored 150 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 140.18 to go with the highest score of unbeaten 45 runs. He has failed to execute his role as the finisher consistently, which has been the main reason behind CSK’s poor campaign.

Hardik Pandya’s chat with CSK CEO sparks rumours of his trade to Chennai

Mumbai have lost both of their games against arch-rivals CSK in IPL 2026, which has come as a big blow for the side. After losing the second clash against CSK at MA Chidambaram Stadium on May 2, Pandya was seen having a chat with CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan.

The footage of their conversation was captured on camera just after CSK’s victory by eight wickets. In the video, Hardik Pandya and Viswanathan engaged in a discussion just outside the boundary. The MI skipper was also seen shaking hands with Viswanathan.

After the video went viral on social media, rumours of Pandya’s trade to CSK ahead of IPL 2027 have been doing the rounds. Moreover, rumours also suggest that MI and CSK might exchange Dube and Pandya ahead of the next season with a trade deal. Notably, the CSK CEO had a similar kind of conversation with Sanju Samson in IPL 2026, and the ahead of ongoing season, the keeper-batter was traded to CSK.

Pandya was named as MI skipper ahead of the IPL 2024 season but the franchise has not managed to win any titles under his leadership.

Ever since he has taken over the leadership of MI, Pandya not only has struggle as a captain but also has not been able to deliver consistently as a batter or bowler. After MI’s horrible form in IPL 2026 despite having a star-studded squad, Pandya’s leadership has been criticised by many.

Notably, there is no official confirmation or reports to back rumours of Pandya and Shivam’s trade between Mumbai and Chennai ahead of IPL 2027. Moreover, Pandya’s chat with CSK CEO looks like a casual post-match chat. The exact conversation between them at that moment remains unclear.

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