- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,257,468
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
'Rinku Singh and...' - R Ashwin names two players Mumbai Indians should sign from KKR if they trade Hardik Pandya originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- R Ashwin suggests Mumbai Indians demand Rinku Singh and another superstar from Knight Riders.
- Pandya's future uncertain after MI's disappointing ninth-place finish.
- Chennai Super Kings, KKR both linked as frontrunners for Pandya trade talks.
R Ashwin's blueprint for Mumbai Indians in potential Hardik Pandya trade with Kolkata Knight Riders
Chatter surrounding Hardik Pandya's future at Mumbai Indians shows no signs of slowing down, and former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has now shared his own take on how a major IPL trade involving the all-rounder could unfold.
Across his three seasons as captain, the franchise reached the playoffs just once, and their struggles continued into 2026, where the five-time champions limped to a ninth-place finish in a ten-team table.
Both Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders have been widely tipped as potential destinations for the India all-rounder. Ashwin agrees these two franchises remain the most likely contenders should Mumbai decide to move on from their captain, though he was equally clear about the terms he believes Mumbai should insist upon before agreeing to any such deal.
MORE: MI deny trade talks amid rumours of Pandya and SKY leaving
Speaking on his Tamil-language YouTube channel, Ashwin argued that Mumbai should only entertain a trade with Kolkata Knight Riders if they part ways with Rinku Singh and Harshit Rana.
"Don't count out Hardik going to a franchise other than CSK or KKR," he began.
"The talk is that CSK will give Dube and a pacer, while KKR will give away Cameron Green. What happens if Green decides to focus on the Ashes next year? If I were MI, I would accept a deal with KKR on only one condition: getting Harshit Rana and Rinku Singh in return. That is the only way MI gets stronger."
MORE: Pandya new look: MI captain appears in new avatar
You must be registered for see images attach
Sportzpics, BCCI
What is the strategy Mumbai Indians should adopt while trading Hardik Pandya?
Ashwin also flagged a broader strategic concern Mumbai must weigh, as the team will only get stronger when Hardik joins a rival.
He explained that if Chennai secured Pandya by offering Dube and an Indian pace bowler, they would improve their squad without necessarily becoming an unstoppable force. Kolkata, however, presented a different kind of threat.
"MI will also think about who between CSK and KKR gets stronger through the Hardik trade," the former spinner said.
"If CSK give away Dube and one Indian pacer to get Hardik, they get strong but not invincible. However, if KKR get Hardik, they suddenly look very strong. KKR will become a lethal batting lineup with Hardik. These are teams with five, five and three titles, so MI have to think about how they can ensure one of these teams doesn't leapfrog them."
Pandya's performance in the 2026 season has done little to quiet the growing speculation. Across ten matches, he managed just 206 runs and picked a mere four wickets. Moreover, the 32-year-old hasn't featured in any competitive cricket since IPL 2026 concluded, which has fuelled further questions about his overall fitness.
MORE: Hardik Pandya trade: MI want CSK duo as part of swap deal
You must be registered for see images attach
Should Mumbai really hold out for a two-for-one package?
Ashwin's suggestion makes sense on paper, but demanding both Rinku Singh and Harshit Rana in exchange for a player whose recent form has declined might be an ambitious ask even for a franchise with Mumbai's leverage.
Rinku alone represents middle-order value that Kolkata would be reluctant to part with easily, let alone bundling him alongside a promising young pacer like Rana.
That said, Ashwin's broader point about assessing rival strength carries weight. Trades in a league this competitive rarely happen in isolation, and handing a title-chasing rival a player of Pandya's calibre without extracting maximum value would be a strategic misstep.
However, if reports are to be believed, Pandya and MI are ready to part ways and an all-cash deal cannot be ruled out. If a player wants out, then MI's leverage will significantly decrease, and in that case, it remains to be seen how the think tank approaches the trade.
For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary and to share your voice, head to our Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages.
Continue reading...
