Hardik Pandya captained MI for three seasons with poor outcomes.
Ahead of the IPL 2027 season, a report has claimed that CSK was asked by MI for Ayush Mhatre plus cash in the trade deal for Hardik Pandya. But CSK is not keen to part with their young opener. Rather than that, CSK has offered MI a more lucrative deal: cash and two-star players.
According to a Hindustan Times report, the Mumbai Indians are looking for a high return for their top all-rounder. Their ideal trade includes seasoned batter Shivam Dube and young top-order talent Ayush Mhatre.
MI sees Mhatre, who dazzled in his brief IPL 2026 campaign with a strike rate near 180, as a key long-term asset in rebuilding their squad balance after a disappointing season.
However, the Chennai Super Kings are known to be extremely protective of Mhatre's future with the team. CSK is allegedly reluctant to part ways with the 19-year-old batter and has responded with an alternative agreement.
Hardik continues to be an incredibly rare asset in Indian cricket as a middle-order, pace-bowling captain without using up an overseas spot. But his recent IPL 2026 performance—scoring just 206 runs and taking four wickets—has sparked concerns about whether CSK is paying for potential rather than quick results.
Neither franchise has confirmed an official agreement, with MI continuing to demand Ayush Mhatre, while CSK wants to continue to preserve their batting core and wants to add an elite all-rounder to the mix.
The report further stated that if the negotiations between CSK and MI stall, other franchises like Kolkata Knight Riders are closely monitoring the situation, ready to take advantage if the deal fails.
(Hindustan Times report)