Delhi: Ahead of the IPL 2027 mini auction, several exchanges of players were witnessed. However, the most special one was the departure of Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya to Punjab Kings as part of a trade deal and India's best left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh coming to Mumbai Indians from there. 9 interesting and amazing things related to this trade deal which made this deal very special:
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1. Two players worth total Rs 36 crore: There was a direct exchange of players and the value of both the players was estimated at Rs 18-18 crore. No one has given any more cash to anyone. The truth is that this trade deal was a profitable deal for Hardik in terms of salary. Hardik's fee in Mumbai Indians was Rs 16.35 crore. Since Arshdeep's fee was Rs 18 crore, Hardik's fee was increased to match the 'no cash' exchange.
2. Hardik's second IPL trade in three years: Ahead of IPL 2024, Hardik was acquired by Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans via trade. Now, ahead of IPL 2027 he has again moved to another team. Thus, this is his second big franchise trade within three years.
3. Mumbai's search completed: Mumbai Indians were searching for an excellent Indian fast bowler to pair with Jasprit Bumrah for many years, which is now complete. Arshdeep swings the new ball, bowls different types of balls in the middle overs and bowls accurate yorkers in the death overs.
4. Punjab lost something special: In this trade deal, Punjab Kings not only lost a good bowler, they also lost their top bowler. Arshdeep played 8 seasons for them and took 111 wickets in 96 IPL matches. He was the top wicket taker bowler of this franchise. Till now no one has played 100 matches for Punjab IPL team. If Arshdeep had survived, he would have made this record, which means that at present the name of Punjab team will not appear in the list of this record.
5. Hardik and Ricky Ponting together again: Ricky Ponting was the head coach of Mumbai Indians in 2015 and then on his recommendation he bought young player Hardik Pandya. Now the head coach of Punjab Kings is Ricky Ponting and it is not possible that the franchise has not asked Ponting for this trade. So it is clear that Hardik is Ponting's favourite. Anyway, Ricky Ponting has always praised Hardik's talent. Their tuning can prove to be a special factor for Punjab in IPL 2027.
6. Arshdeep-Bumrah lethal pair: Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep are now together. This means India's two top pacers in the same IPL team. Note:
– Arshdeep's record in those matches when Jasprit Bumrah was also in the team: Economy rate 8.47, average 18.6 and strike rate 13.1.
– Arshdeep's record in those matches when Jasprit Bumrah was not in the team: Economy rate 8.75, average 21.69 and strike rate 14.87.
The interesting thing is that Bumrah's record while playing with Arshdeep is also better than his record while playing without him.
7. Punjab team got the experience of winning 5 IPL titles: Hardik has been a part of the teams that won a total of 5 IPL titles:
Mumbai Indians: 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020
Gujarat Titans: 2022
His experience of winning the championship can be very useful for Punjab, because they are looking for their first IPL trophy.
8. Hardik did not make captaincy an issue in this trade deal: Punjab got an experienced Indian all-rounder without making any change in captaincy. Hardik's arrival does not mean that the captaincy of the team will also change. Shreyas Iyer will remain the captain and Hardik called him 'my captain' on the very first day.
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9. Hardik brings 'good luck' to Punjab: See how?
Hardik Pandya's first season with Mumbai Indians: 2015
Mumbai Indians won the IPL title in 2015
Hardik Pandya's first season for Gujarat Titans: 2022
Gujarat Titans win IPL title in 2022
Hardik Pandya's first season for Punjab Kings: 2027
Will Punjab Kings win IPL title in 2027?