Punjab Kings co-owner Ness Wadia has described the trade that brought Hardik Pandya to the Mohali franchise as more than a tactical move, calling it a long-term investment aimed at winning multiple Indian Premier League titles. The swap, which saw India pacer Arshdeep Singh move to Mumbai Indians, was difficult for the franchise given Arshdeep’s status as a local player and a key face of Punjab Kings.
Wadia told TimesofIndia.com that the decision took time, noting Mumbai Indians’ interest in Arshdeep and Punjab’s desire to bring in Pandya’s experience and versatility. “We believe Hardik is someone who brings a great deal to the team. Most importantly, this is not about a short-term, one-year arrangement. We are keen to build a very strong franchise that wins championships, and we feel this move will take us in that direction,” he said.
The trade was a straightforward one-for-one deal, Wadia confirmed. Arshdeep Singh, developed by Punjab Kings from a young age, is from Mohali and has become a significant figure for the franchise. Letting him go was not easy, but Wadia expressed pride in Arshdeep’s success and leadership at the international level. “It makes me happy that he has done so well. It makes me happy that he is so much in demand. At the end of the day, it makes me exceedingly happy that he represents our country at the highest level and is one of its leaders,” he said.
Wadia also revealed the conversations behind the scenes with Hardik Pandya. He highlighted the all-rounder’s respect for Punjab Kings’ head coach Ricky Ponting, with whom Pandya had worked during his early years at Mumbai Indians. “We had a very good conversation with Hardik. I think he will bring a lot of experience and add tremendous value to Shreyas and Ricky,” Wadia said.
Punjab Kings have shown steady progress in recent seasons, reaching the IPL final in 2025 and performing strongly in 2026 before faltering late. Wadia likened their trajectory to that of his favourite English Premier League club Arsenal before they clinched their league title. “In the past couple of seasons, Punjab Kings have been doing well, much like the Gunners, before they went on to win the Premier League. I think we are almost there. Hardik brings that Midas touch to us,” he said.
Wadia acknowledged that no team is ever perfectly complete. He pointed to factors such as timing, player form, and experience as reasons the franchise has yet to secure its first IPL championship. “We reached the final in 2025 and were doing really well in 2026, before slipping up towards the end. I think that was down to a lack of experience. Sometimes, overconfidence also creeps in. There were also players who did not perform at their expected levels,” he said. Wadia said the franchise believes it has the potential not just to win one title but several, with Hardik, captain Shreyas Iyer, and coach Ponting aligned on that goal.
Reflecting on the IPL’s evolution over nearly two decades, Wadia welcomed the introduction of the trading window. He said the system has encouraged franchises to make tough decisions and adjust their squads after auctions. “It shows that franchises are willing to make difficult calls, go into an auction, do the best they can and then assess how things work out over the next one or two years,” he said. He also left the door open for further trades before the auction in Goa, noting the trading window remains open after the retention deadline.
Wadia commented on proposals to extend or shift the IPL window to avoid challenging weather conditions such as rain or extreme heat. He said finding an alternate slot would be worthwhile but stressed the need to consider the international and domestic cricket calendars.
The co-owner acknowledged the difficulties Punjab Kings face playing home matches at two venues but said the franchise must focus on the bigger picture, including revenue and support from the Punjab Cricket Association.
As the IPL season approaches its next phase, Punjab Kings appear intent on using Hardik Pandya’s experience and skill to push beyond near misses and aim for sustained success.
According to Yahoo Sports.
