Kaif: Pandya's PBKS move key to regaining form

The Cliff News | 12 November 2026

Former Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif has stated that Hardik Pandya's recent move to Punjab Kings (PBKS) presents a crucial opportunity for the all-rounder to rediscover his peak form. Kaif believes that shedding the captaincy burden will allow Pandya to concentrate on his primary skills as a batter, bowler, and finisher.

The high-profile trade, which saw Pandya move to PBKS for a reported Rs 18 crore, also involved left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh heading to Mumbai Indians. This development follows a period of intense speculation surrounding Pandya's future in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Pandya's 'Emotional Blunder' at MI

Kaif candidly described Pandya's decision to leave the Gujarat Titans (GT) for his former franchise, Mumbai Indians (MI), as a "blunder." He attributed this move, which occurred ahead of the 2024 season, to an emotional choice rather than a strategic one.

"It was a blunder by Hardik to leave GT. I think it was an emotional call. He had a connection with MI, and maybe that drew him back. It is always a tough call. You made GT champions and were the king there."

Pandya had enjoyed immense success with Gujarat Titans, leading them to a title in their debut season in 2022 and a runner-up finish in 2023. His return to MI, where he began his IPL career, saw him immediately handed the captaincy.

Declining Performance Amidst Captaincy Pressure

However, Kaif observed a noticeable decline in both Pandya's individual performance and his captaincy during his second stint with the Mumbai Indians. This period, spanning three seasons, saw MI struggle to replicate their past glories.

In his 31 matches as GT captain, Pandya amassed 833 runs at an average of 37.86 and took 11 wickets. His batting showed maturity, including a career-best IPL season in 2022 with 487 runs.

In contrast, during his tenure with MI from 2024, Pandya scored 647 runs in 39 matches at an average of 21.53, along with 29 wickets. Under his leadership, MI's performance also faltered, with the team failing to reach the playoffs in the 2024 and 2026 seasons, finishing ninth in both instances.

Focus on Individual Brilliance at PBKS

Kaif emphasized that the immense pressure of captaincy in the IPL can be overwhelming for many players, impacting their performance. He believes that Pandya's current situation at Punjab Kings is ideal, allowing him to shed this burden.

"Many players want captaincy. But a lot of them do not perform well under the pressure of captaincy. It is not everybody's cup of tea. It is even more difficult in the IPL anyway. It will be good for Hardik that he is not captain."

He further elaborated on Pandya's path forward:

"At PBKS, he should look to regain his form as a batter, a bowler, and a finisher. There is no doubt that he is a great player. So it is good that he is not the captain. He can focus on his game. Being an all-rounder and a captain is all the more difficult."

Pandya's overall IPL career statistics include 2,955 runs at a strike rate of 146.28 and 82 wickets across 162 matches, highlighting his potential when operating without captaincy duties.

The trade itself involved significant financial figures, with Pandya's fee increasing from Rs 16.35 crore to Rs 18 crore at PBKS, while Arshdeep Singh also moves for Rs 18 crore to MI. This strategic reshuffling of key players underscores the competitive nature of the IPL and the constant pursuit of team balance and performance enhancement.