The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has formally approved a high-profile IPL trade involving Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh, clearing the way for the two players to exchange franchises ahead of the 2027 season, according to a report by Cricbuzz journalist Vijay Tagore.
The proposed arrangement will see Pandya move from Mumbai Indians to Punjab Kings, while Singh heads in the opposite direction. Both franchises have been informed of the regulatory clearance, with a public announcement expected shortly.
How the Hardik-Arshdeep trade secured approval
Discussions surrounding the exchange began approximately a week before the BCCI granted its clearance. Although the agreement had progressed between the franchises, completion was held up while the two players considered and signed the necessary documentation.
Further discussions between the players and their respective teams eventually resolved the outstanding formalities. Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings subsequently exchanged Expressions of Interest with the BCCI as part of the required trade procedure.
The regulatory sign-off is understood to have been issued around midday on November 10, with the franchises receiving formal notification of the decision.
The agreement involves a direct exchange between the two teams, without any additional player being included. Both Pandya and Singh have consented to their respective moves.
Player salaries remain unchanged under the deal
The financial terms of the exchange will allow both cricketers to retain their existing IPL salaries rather than negotiate new playing contracts at different values.
Pandya, who was retained by Mumbai Indians for ₹16.35 crore (approx. USD 1.7 million) ahead of the 2025 mega auction, will continue earning that amount at Punjab Kings.
Singh will receive ₹18 crore (approx. USD 1.9 million) at Mumbai Indians, matching the amount Punjab Kings committed to secure him through the Right to Match (RTM) mechanism during the same auction.
What the exchange means for Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings
For Punjab Kings, Pandya’s arrival provides an experienced all-round option capable of contributing with both bat and ball. His move follows a three-year association with Mumbai Indians that included a leadership role at the franchise.
Mumbai Indians, meanwhile, will add a specialist left-arm pace bowler with an established record in international T20 cricket. Singh became the first Indian bowler to reach 100 wickets in T20 internationals and has been an important part of Punjab Kings’ bowling unit over multiple seasons.
His ability to operate during the powerplay and at the death gives Mumbai Indians another bowling option alongside Jasprit Bumrah.
Arshdeep Singh’s father confirms move to Mumbai Indians
While the franchises have yet to announce the transaction publicly, Arshdeep Singh’s father Darshan Singh has acknowledged receiving information about his son’s move to Mumbai Indians.
Darshan, who is accompanying his son in New Zealand during India’s all-format series, discussed the development in a video interview with Vimal Kumar. Asked whether Arshdeep had been consulted beforehand, Arshdeep Singh’s father Darshan Singh told Kumar: “No, there was no such discussion.”
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Arshdeep Singh’s father CONFIRMED the trade! 🔥 Every franchise wants team balance, so they traded him accordingly. We’re very happy with Mumbai Indians. He’ll reunite with his former captain and longtime teammates Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav so we are very happy. [Vimal Kumar] https://t.co/2hgwawI9i4</p>— Rohan💫 (@rohann__45) <a href=”https://x.com/rohann__45/status/2120008967262978411?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>November 10, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.x.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
Arshdeep Singh’s father added: “We also found out surprisingly that the trade has happened. I think the official intimation has probably come now that he has been traded, yes. But, you know how it is… wherever a person is born, they always have a special love for their native place, and they never forget it their whole life. So, Kings XI Punjab was like a native place for him; there was a very strong connection with them. So, you do feel a little emotional about it.”
“But since every franchise wants to build its own team balance, they traded him accordingly. We are very happy with Mumbai Indians as well. Over there, his old captain and old teammates like Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and others are there, so we are very happy.”
Darshan did not confirm whether Pandya’s proposed move to Punjab Kings formed part of the same arrangement. The complete financial and contractual details have also not yet been publicly disclosed by the franchises.
Mumbai Indians’ bowling combination draws attention
Singh concluded: “What can I say? Just look at the fans’ reactions and remarks. They are very happy that it will be a great bowling attack, and they will tackle any score. They won’t even let teams cross 200 runs. But again, it’s IPL with flat pitches, so anything can happen there; that’s a different matter. But indeed, it’s a great partnership.”
With the BCCI’s approval secured and the necessary player documentation completed, the remaining step is for Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings to formally announce the exchange ahead of IPL 2027.
