IPL 2027: CSK hint at ‘Rishabh Pant-Kuldeep Yadav’ like trade after denying Hardik Pandya deal with MI

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is ready for a trade ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027 auction. For the last few weeks, rumours have been swirling about Hardik Pandya leaving the Mumbai Indians (MI) to join CSK. It was believed that the two 5-time IPL champions would swap Shivam Dube and Ayush Mhatre for Pandya.

CSK deny Hardik Pandya trade, for now

Well, CSK has since denied the claim. Kasi Viswanath, the franchise’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), denied having any conversation with MI regarding Pandya. In fact, he stated that CSK is yet to have their post-season review, which would happen after the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 season.

“CSK has not even done the review of the season yet, and we will only do so after the MLC is complete. I am currently in the US. We have not spoken to anyone, and all that is being said about Hardik and CSK is untrue,” CSK CEO Kasi Viswanath told RevSportz.

Well, Texas Super Kings is virtually out of the MLC 2026 playoffs. Although two matches remain, it’s tough to imagine they’ll qualify after winning 3 out of 8 matches. Therefore, the review hasn’t happened yet. But it seems like CSK are willing to trade some players.

Something big cooking before IPL 2027 auction?

One can’t forget that they traded Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja to the Rajasthan Royals for Sanju Samson before the IPL 2026 season. Although they’ve denied the Pandya trade with MI, at least for now, they’ve hinted at something big. Employing their mascot, Leo, CSK has hinted at a deal similar to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Delhi Capitals (DC) one.

For the unaware, LSG has traded Rishabh Pant to his old franchise, DC, for just INR 15 crore, as the wicketkeeper-batter took a pay cut. In return, they got Kuldeep Yadav for INR 13.50 crore and some cash. Mind you, both of these players are T20 World Cup winners. Perhaps CSK is hinting at trading players of similar stature. Pandya and Dube both qualify for that criterion.

The post IPL 2027: CSK hint at ‘Rishabh Pant-Kuldeep Yadav’ like trade after denying Hardik Pandya deal with MI appeared first on Inside Sport India.