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Ahmedabad: Hardik Pandya‘s future in the Indian Premier League has become one of the biggest talking points ahead of the 2027 season, and former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has offered a fresh prediction. While Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders have reportedly emerged as possible destinations for the all-rounder, Ashwin believes Hardik could make a return to Gujarat Titans.

Ashwin said he has a “hunch” that Hardik could end up back with Gujarat Titans, the franchise he led to the IPL title in 2022 and the final in 2023. However, he does not expect Hardik to regain the captaincy, with Shubman Gill firmly established as Gujarat’s leader.

Ashwin backs Gujarat Titans return

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin suggested that a return to Gujarat could make sense for Hardik despite the recent reports surrounding his potential move away from Mumbai Indians.

“It’s not a bad thing that Hardik has reached out to GT,” Ashwin said, pointing to the all-rounder’s successful stint with the franchise.

Hardik spent the first two seasons of Gujarat Titans as captain and immediately made an impact. In 2022, he led the newly formed franchise to the IPL championship in its debut season. The following year, GT reached the final again before losing to Chennai Super Kings.

Ashwin believes those memories could influence Hardik’s decision if a trade becomes possible.

“I still have a hunch that he’ll go to GT,” Ashwin said.

Hardik’s Gujarat chapter was the best phase of his career

Hardik’s time at Gujarat was arguably the most successful period of his IPL career.

After leaving Mumbai Indians, where he had established himself as one of India’s premier all-rounders, Hardik took on a leadership role at the new franchise. He responded by immediately delivering results.

Gujarat’s title-winning campaign in 2022 was particularly significant because the team was playing its first IPL season. Hardik was not only the captain but also an important contributor with both bat and ball.

The franchise finished the league stage at the top of the table before beating Rajasthan Royals in the final.

In 2023, Hardik again guided Gujarat to the final, establishing the franchise as one of the strongest teams in the competition.

His move back to Mumbai Indians after that season therefore represented a major change in his IPL career.

Why Ashwin thinks Hardik could return

Ashwin’s argument is based largely on familiarity and the environment at Gujarat.

The former India spinner suggested that Hardik could find a “happy place” by returning to the franchise where he enjoyed considerable success.

He also pointed towards the possibility of Hardik wanting to prove himself again after his difficult period at Mumbai.

According to Ashwin, Hardik could use a return to Gujarat as an opportunity to demonstrate that he can win another IPL title after failing to achieve the same success with Mumbai.

That psychological factor could become important if Mumbai Indians are prepared to trade the all-rounder.

Captaincy is unlikely to be available

There is, however, one major obstacle.

Hardik reportedly wanted the Gujarat Titans captaincy as part of a potential return. According to an earlier report, Gujarat were open to the possibility of bringing him back and even discussed the move with current captain Shubman Gill.

But the reported demand for captaincy changed the situation, with the franchise’s decision-makers unwilling to remove Gill from the leadership position.

Hardik’s spokesperson subsequently clarified that the player had not directly spoken to any franchise about a transfer or trade. Any communication involving him, the spokesperson said, had been directed through Mumbai Indians.

This distinction is important because several reports surrounding Hardik’s future have not been officially confirmed by the player or the franchises involved.

Ashwin says Gill should remain captain

Ashwin does not see Hardik returning to Gujarat as a captain.

He praised Gill’s leadership and suggested that the current captain has done a good job over the past two seasons.

Therefore, if Hardik does return to Gujarat, he would have to accept a role under Gill rather than reclaiming the leadership position he held during his previous spell.

Ashwin’s assessment is that Gujarat remains an excellent destination for Hardik even without the captaincy.

The franchise also has a strong batting line-up and has continued to remain competitive at the top end of the IPL.

CSK and KKR also linked with Hardik

Gujarat is not the only franchise reportedly interested in Hardik.

Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders have also been mentioned in reports surrounding his IPL future.

Hardik’s experience, all-round ability and leadership background make him an attractive player in the trade market. A genuine pace-bowling all-rounder who can bat in the middle order remains one of the most valuable profiles in T20 cricket.

However, the exact mechanics of any potential trade would depend on discussions between Mumbai Indians and the interested franchise.

There has been no official confirmation from Mumbai Indians or Hardik regarding his future at this stage.

Hardik’s Mumbai Indians stint has been complicated

Hardik’s return to Mumbai Indians has not unfolded as smoothly as expected.

After joining the franchise again, he was appointed captain, replacing the hugely popular Rohit Sharma. The decision created considerable debate among MI supporters and placed Hardik under intense scrutiny.

His leadership period also coincided with difficult seasons for Mumbai.

The 2026 campaign further intensified speculation about a possible rebuild, with reports suggesting that the franchise could make significant changes to its squad and management structure.

If Mumbai decide that Hardik is no longer central to their plans, a trade could provide a solution for both sides.

Gujarat could offer Hardik a fresh start

A return to Gujarat would represent an unusual full-circle moment.

Hardik left the franchise after leading it to two finals in two seasons. He then returned to Mumbai, the franchise where his IPL career began, with the expectation that he would become one of the central figures in the team’s future.

If he ultimately goes back to Gujarat, he would be returning to a team where he already knows the environment, players and coaching structure.

The biggest difference would be the leadership hierarchy.

Previously, Hardik was the undisputed captain. This time, Gill would be the leader.

For the move to work, Hardik would therefore have to embrace a role as a senior player rather than the team’s captain.

What happens next?

Hardik’s IPL future remains uncertain, and Ashwin’s comments should be viewed as an informed prediction rather than confirmation of an impending transfer.

The all-rounder’s reported interest in Gujarat, combined with Ashwin’s belief that he could return there, makes the Titans an intriguing possibility. But the captaincy issue remains a significant hurdle.

For Gujarat, keeping Gill as captain appears to be a priority. For Hardik, the decision could ultimately come down to whether returning to a familiar and successful environment is more important than having leadership authority.

Ashwin believes there is a “good chance” of a Gujarat reunion if Mumbai Indians agree to a trade.

For now, though, Hardik remains a Mumbai Indians player, and no official trade has been announced. The coming weeks could determine whether Ashwin’s prediction turns into one of the biggest moves ahead of IPL 2027.