Former India batter Mohammed Kaif has described Hardik Pandya’s decision to leave Gujarat Titans and return to Mumbai Indians as a mistake, while advising the all-rounder to use his move to Punjab Kings to rebuild his form.
Hardik will join Punjab Kings for Rs 18 crore, an increase from his previous fee of Rs 16.35 crore. In the same trade ahead of the IPL 2027 season, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh will move to Mumbai Indians at his existing fee of Rs 18 crore.
The transfer brings Hardik’s second spell with Mumbai Indians to an end. He returned to the franchise in 2024 and was appointed captain. Hardik had first joined Mumbai in 2015 and represented the franchise for seven seasons before moving to Gujarat Titans ahead of IPL 2022.
Hardik has played 162 IPL matches, scoring 2,955 runs at a strike rate of 146.28 and taking 82 wickets.
Kaif says Hardik’s GT exit affected his performances
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif said Hardik had built a strong position at Gujarat Titans and may have been influenced by his emotional association with Mumbai Indians when he decided to return.
Kaif said Hardik had led Gujarat to the IPL title in their debut season and reached another final in 2023, but his performances and captaincy suffered after the move back to Mumbai. He suggested that the all-rounder should put the second phase of his Mumbai career behind him and concentrate on moving forward.
Hardik captained Gujarat Titans in 31 matches, scoring 833 runs in 30 innings at an average of 37.86 and a strike rate of 133.49. He recorded six half-centuries and claimed 11 wickets during his two seasons with the franchise.
In his first season with Gujarat in 2022, Hardik scored 487 runs in 15 matches, including four half-centuries, and guided the team to the title. Gujarat finished runners-up in 2023.
Hardik’s record during second Mumbai stint
Hardik’s return to Mumbai Indians produced 647 runs at an average of 21.53 and a strike rate of 147.82 in 39 matches across three seasons. His highest score during this period was 48 not out, while he took 29 wickets at an average of more than 34.
Mumbai Indians reached the playoffs under his leadership in IPL 2025. However, the team finished at the bottom of the table in 2024 and ninth in 2026.
Kaif said giving up the captaincy could help Hardik focus on the parts of his game that made him a valuable all-rounder. He noted that leading a team in the IPL brings pressure that not every player handles well.
According to Kaif, Hardik should use his time at Punjab Kings to regain his form as a batter, bowler and finisher. He added that managing the responsibilities of both an all-rounder and a captain can be particularly demanding.
Arshdeep moves to Mumbai after eight seasons with Punjab Kings
Arshdeep Singh will begin his Mumbai Indians career after spending eight seasons with Punjab Kings, the franchise for which he made his IPL debut in 2019.
The left-arm fast bowler has taken 111 wickets in 96 IPL matches and is Punjab Kings’ all-time leading wicket-taker. His ability to strike with the new ball and bowl during the death overs has made him a key part of the team’s attack.
Arshdeep claimed 21 wickets in IPL 2025 and followed that with 14 wickets in the 2026 season.
His left-arm angle and versatility across different stages of an innings are expected to add to Mumbai Indians’ pace-bowling options. Hardik, meanwhile, will look to use his move to Punjab Kings to rediscover the form that established him as one of the IPL’s leading all-rounders.
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