A change of franchise could provide Hardik Pandya with the fresh beginning he needs, but former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes the all-rounder will be at his most dangerous when he is completely fit and performing at his best. With his reported transfer from Mumbai Indians to Punjab Kings nearing completion, Shastri has backed Hardik to make a strong comeback when he returns to competitive cricket.
Speaking on Extra Innings ahead of India's third ODI against New Zealand, Shastri called Hardik the best in the business in T20 cricket when fully fit. He also suggested that his extended absence from the game could make him more determined to prove himself.
Shastri described Hardik as a genuine match-winner and said the all-rounder could be particularly motivated to demonstrate his abilities after spending considerable time away from cricket.
The remarks come at an important stage in Hardik's IPL career. His proposed transfer to Punjab Kings, with Arshdeep Singh moving in the opposite direction to Mumbai Indians, is reportedly almost finalised. India Today has learnt that both franchises have submitted their expressions of interest to the BCCI, with an official announcement expected after the formalities are completed.
A FRESH START IN PUNJAB?
Hardik's potential exit would mark the end of his second stint with Mumbai Indians. His return to the franchise in 2024 coincided with a leadership change, as he replaced Rohit Sharma as captain. However, Mumbai struggled to maintain consistency during his three-year tenure.
The franchise endured a disappointing IPL 2026 season, finishing ninth in the standings with only four victories from 14 matches. Mumbai have failed to qualify for the playoffs in two of the three seasons since Hardik took charge and are now expected to restore Rohit as captain for the 2027 campaign.
Punjab Kings, on the other hand, could provide Hardik with a fresh atmosphere. The franchise narrowly missed the playoffs in 2026 after finishing runners-up in the previous season under Shreyas Iyer. Hardik is expected to join the team as a player, while Shreyas is likely to retain the captaincy.
WHY HAS HARDIK BEEN AWAY FROM CRICKET?
Hardik's prolonged absence has been caused by multiple fitness issues following IPL 2026. His last competitive appearance came on May 24, after he had already missed four matches during the tournament because of back spasms. A subsequent leg strain further complicated his recovery, forcing him to spend an extended period at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
The all-rounder was initially expected to return in September and was included in India A's squad for the October one-day series against Australia A. However, another injury, this time to his right shin, forced him to withdraw from the squad.
Reports indicated that Hardik was still experiencing discomfort while bowling and had been advised to undergo complete rest before restarting his rehabilitation programme.
The injury also ruled him out of India's white-ball series against New Zealand. Subsequently, he was excluded from Baroda's squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which gets underway on November 14, further delaying his return to competitive action.
India captain Shubman Gill has also made it clear that Hardik must feature in domestic cricket and demonstrate his fitness before being considered for a return to the national team.
With his comeback still uncertain, the immediate focus remains on recovering from his injuries, returning to the field and regaining match fitness ahead of India's next international assignment.
Punjab Kings will undoubtedly be encouraged by the possibility of adding a fully fit Hardik to their squad. However, before making an impression in a new franchise, the all-rounder must overcome the fitness problems that have kept him away from competitive cricket for almost six months.
