Top 5 worst trades in IPL history ft. Hardik Pandya

The list features several top IPL stars.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed several record-breaking and surprising trades so far; many of them involve large sums of money. The IPL trade window has often allowed teams to strengthen their squads and address weaknesses by acquiring talented players from other teams.

While some trades have transformed teams and later helped them achieve success, others have turned out to be very costly mistakes that franchises would rather forget.

In some cases, teams had to part ways with one of their best players to acquire another star player through a trade deal. However, there are times when the traded player fails to live up to expectations and the investment made.

These decisions have not only impacted on-field performances but have also had a significant effect on off-field discussions and the team’s environment. On that note, let’s have a look at the top five worst trades in IPL history.

Worst trades in the history of IPL

5. Cameron Green to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2024

Cameron Green trade to RCB in 2024 was one of the most shocking trades of all time. Green had a great outing for Mumbai Indians in 2023, scoring 452 runs at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 160, but they traded him to RCB to free up funds for Hardik Pandya’s return to the team.

However, Royal Challengers Bengaluru acquired him for a hefty price of ₹17.50 crore, further limiting their purse for the auction. Green had a poor start to the 2024 IPL campaign, and RCB lost many games.

Later, RCB made a huge comeback, with decent performances from all players helping them reach the playoffs. Green scored 255 runs at a strike rate of 143 and also took 10 wickets. However, this level of contribution was not worth the amount for which he was traded.

4. Ajinkya Rahane to Delhi Capitals in IPL 2020

Rajasthan Royals made a big announcement ahead of IPL 2020, trading their captain, Ajinkya Rahane, to the Delhi Capitals. Rahane played 9 games for DC in 2020, managing only 113 runs at an average of 14.13 and a strike rate of 105, making it one of the worst seasons of his career up to that point.

The following season, he was retained by the Capitals but hardly got a chance in the playing XI. He featured in two games and batted in only one of them, scoring 8 runs off 8 balls before being dismissed. This trade remains one of the worst decisions for both the franchise and Rahane’s career.

3. Shardul Thakur to Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026

Mumbai Indians acquired local boy Shardul Thakur ahead of IPL 2026 for his existing price of ₹2 crore. Shardul had taken 13 wickets for LSG the season before at an economy rate of 11 and had won them a few matches on his own. He was expected to provide support to Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult in the bowling attack.

However, with both speedsters struggling, Shardul also failed to find his rhythm. He won the Player of the Match award in the very first game, but after that, he struggled to maintain consistency and conceded runs at an economy rate of 12.27 while claiming 12 wickets during the season.

2. Devdutt Padikkal to Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2024

Devdutt Padikkal, who emerged as one of the top young talents for RCB in 2020, was released by the franchise ahead of the 2022 mega auction, where Rajasthan Royals acquired him. After two seasons, Rajasthan traded him to Lucknow Super Giants.

He batted in the middle order for LSG but looked out of touch in almost every game and was unable to time the ball well. Devdutt managed only 38 runs in the seven matches, averaging just 5 runs with a poor strike rate of 71.70.

He was also dismissed for a duck twice. After the season, LSG released him from the squad, and RCB bought him back at the auction. Following his return, Devdutt transformed his game and surprised everyone, but the trade yielded no returns for LSG.

1. Hardik Pandya to Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024

Hardik Pandya trade to the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024 remains one of the most controversial trades of all time. Hardik, who was an important part of the Mumbai Indians’ success over the years, was released and picked in the IPL 2022 draft by the Gujarat Titans, who gave him the responsibility of captaining the team.

Hardik won the title in his very first season as captain and reached the final the following season. After that, the MI management approached him for a trade, which he agreed to. As part of the deal, MI had to trade away one of their best batters from the previous season, Cameron Green.

Hardik returned to the team as captain, a decision that attracted criticism. However, over the past few years, Hardik has failed to live up to the MI management’s expectations. The team failed to make the playoffs in two of the three seasons under his captaincy and lost in Qualifier 2 in IPL 2025.

Hardik was never able to deliver his best performance for the team with either bat or ball, and this remains one of the most unsuccessful IPL trades of all time.

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