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'My captain Shreyas, my coach Ricky': Hardik's first comment after joining PBKS

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The transaction sends the experienced all-rounder to Punjab Kings in exchange for fast bowler Arshdeep Singh, with both players valued at Rs 18 crore. The departure marks the end of an eight-season franchise tenure for the left-arm seamer, who exits as the team's all-time top wicket-taker. Mumbai adds bowling depth, while Punjab integrates a four-time league champion who has accumulated nearly 3,000 career runs.

Key points

  • Punjab Kings added a decorated veteran who has won four Indian Premier League titles acro…: Punjab Kings added a decorated veteran who has won four Indian Premier League titles across his career.
  • Mumbai Indians secured Punjab's record-holding pace bowler to strengthen their bowling at…: Mumbai Indians secured Punjab's record-holding pace bowler to strengthen their bowling attack ahead of 2027.
  • Hardik Pandya publicly aligned himself with the leadership duo of captain Shreyas Iyer an…: Hardik Pandya publicly aligned himself with the leadership duo of captain Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

NEW DELHI:

Hardik Pandya has made his first public comment after joining Punjab Kings (PBKS) ahead of the 2027 IPL season.

Pandya has moved from

Mumbai Indians (MI) to Punjab Kings for Rs 18 crore. In return, PBKS have traded fast bowler

Arshdeep Singh to MI.

The trade has been completed ahead of the 2027 IPL season. Pandya's new fee of Rs 18 crore is higher than his earlier fee of Rs 16.35 crore. Arshdeep has moved to MI at his existing fee of Rs 18 crore, according to an IPL statement.

The all-rounder shared a message on Instagram, mentioning his new captain Shreyas Iyer, coach Ricky Ponting and the team.

"Sat Sri Akal. My Captain. Shreyas. My Coach. Ricky. My team. All of Punjab. I am standing behind you," Pandya wrote.

The move brings an end to Pandya's second stint with Mumbai Indians, where he won four IPL titles.

Pandya first joined MI in 2015 and played a key role in their title-winning campaigns in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. He returned to the franchise in 2024 and took…

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