Former India batter Aakash Chopra has shared a bold trade idea ahead of the 2027 Indian Premier League (IPL). He believes the Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) could benefit from exchanging some of their star players.
Hardik Pandya’s future at MI has come under question after the team finished ninth in the IPL 2026 points table under his captaincy. Chopra feels MI could use this opportunity to strengthen their squad through a trade with LSG.
Chopra sees benefits for both teams
According to Chopra, MI should send Hardik Pandya to LSG. In return, they should ask for West Indies star Nicholas Pooran and left-arm fast bowler Mohsin Khan.
The former cricketer pointed out that Pooran already has strong links with the Mumbai Indians family. He has represented MI Cape Town, MI New York, and MI Emirates in franchise leagues around the world.
“MI can think about giving Hardik Pandya. You (LSG) can keep him as a captain or a middle-order batter. You lack all-rounders, and you will get an all-rounder, but we need two things from you in return. Give us Nicholas Pooran because he is part of the MI setup. So they know how to handle Nicholas Pooran. The Wankhede Stadium will suit him as well. We need Mohsin Khan along with him. They won’t let Prince Yadav and Mayak Yadav go. Mohsin is a tall bowler and gets extra bounce. Can they ask for him from them?” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
Chopra also believes LSG could ask for another player in the deal. He suggested that New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell Santner could also move to Lucknow because his left-arm spin would suit the Ekana Stadium.
“Then LSG might also turn back and say that Hardik alone won’t do, but we need Mitchell Santner as well. It is not a bad thought because they have Kuldeep Yadav, but if they get Mitchell Santner as well, with Kuldeep, Santner, and Hardik, suddenly LSG will start looking like a robust unit,” he added.
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