New Delhi, Nov. 7 -- Punjab Kings proved to be the surprise stealer for star Mumbai Indians all-rounder Hardik Pandya in exchange for pacer Arshdeep Singh in an high-profile Indian Premier League (IPL) trade deal, just a month before the mini-auction in Goa. The IPL 2027 mini-auction is slated for December 16.

Pandya, who is still recovering from a right shin bone stress response (symptomatic tibial bone stress) along with recovery from earlier back spasms and a leg strain sustained during IPL 2026, has not played any game at any level since the last season of the cash-rich league.

While the trade is officially yet to be announced, several reports claim that the proposed trade has already been completed between the two franchises. The d...