New Delhi, Aug. 11 -- MUMBAI - Ajinkya Rahane's retirement announcement left Kolkata Knight Riders facing a leadership vacancy that felt uncomfortably familiar. The franchise had lost Shreyas Iyer after their 2024 title, watched Rahane steady the dressing room, and now, heading into IPL 2027 planning, faced the same problem a second time. The answer KKR is pursuing, according to multiple reports, is Hardik Pandya - and Kolkata is no longer the only franchise asking.

Seven of the Indian Premier League's ten teams have made preliminary inquiries about Mumbai Indians' captain, with Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants joining the Kolkata-led pursuit in what is shaping up as the most consequential trade story in the t...