Now things are getting messy around Hardik Pandya staying with the Mumbai Indians. After finishing ninth – way below where they usually stand, fans aren’t holding back about replacing him as skipper. Pressure has built fast following a flat season from the team once seen as dominant.

Out of step since April, the Mumbai Indians stumbled when it mattered most. Key names drew blanks under stress instead of lifting others. Each close game became a setback rather than a chance to rise. Doubts grew louder about Hardik’s grip on the helm after every late collapse.

Badrinath suggests stunning Hardik Pandya-CSK Trade

Now weighing in, ex-India player Subramaniam Badrinath stirs the pot with a striking swap idea linked to Chennai Super Kings. On his YouTube platform, he floated a deal – Hardik Pandya moving to Mumbai Indians if they send back Shivam Dube, along with rising talent Ayush Mhatre. The suggestion slipped out mid-discussion, casual yet sharp. Not loud, but enough to spark fresh chatter among fans.

Ideas like these usually fade fast, yet this one sticks around. What makes it linger is how neatly it fits pieces that both teams seem to be juggling already. Names dropped without drama still carry weight when timing hits right.

“If I am MI, I would trade Hardik for Shivam Dube and Ayush Mhatre from CSK. A core trio of Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Hardik Pandya will take the CSK brand to a different level,” Badrinath said.
He also stated that CSK should not hesitate to hand Hardik the captaincy role if required. “There is also no set rule that Samson has to be made the CSK captain. If Hardik demands captaincy, I would make him CSK’s captain because of his excellent relationship with MS Dhoni,” he added.

Out of step with expectations, the Mumbai Indians are moving on from Hardik following two rough seasons at the helm. A piece in The Indian Express says the team’s performance has dipped each year he led them.
Few players carry the weight Hardik does when seasons stack up, insists Badrinath. A quiet shift might unfold in Chennai, where his role grows beyond just overs and runs.

“Hardik has at least three excellent seasons in him. He will lend CSK incredible balance to the point where they can build the team around him. It’ll also help Hardik if he goes to CSK over any other franchise, as CSK can enhance your image to a different level,” he said.