R Ashwin's Cryptic Post Hints at Hardik Pandya's Possible Move to CSK, Mentions Two More Players
The discussion about Hardik Pandya's IPL future is again resurfacing due to cryptic social media post of former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. The latest post from veteran Indian spinner has led to fresh rumours that Hardik may be all set to shift to Chennai Super Kings in the next season.
The buzz around this development gained momentum after Mumbai Indians had a disappointing run in IPL 2026 season. The five-time champions slumped to 9th in the points table, whereas Hardik was also unable to find form with both bat and ball in the season.
MI captain managed only 146 runs in eight matches and took just three wickets. Since the below-par show of Mumbai Indians, it has started to become the talk that the all-rounder may move on from the franchise.
Hardik's Instagram Story Started the Buzz
Recently Hardik took to Instagram, where he shared an Instagram story that was later spread all over the internet. On the screen of the laptop, there was a movie playing whereas a pen, notebook and a phone were kept.
While everything was normal with the story, the social media users highlighted one thing- the time on the phone's screen. The clock was showing '07:07' and this particular thing led them to draw a relation to MS Dhoni.
Soon after, talks about Hardik Pandya shifting to Chennai Super Kings began.
The talk got serious when a fan posted on X if CSK should acquire Sri Lankan speedster Matheesha Pathirana if KKR releases the player in the next season and Ashwin replied to that.
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Ashwin’s ‘07:07’ Message Goes Viral
Replying to the fan, Ashwin agreed that Pathirana should be retained and added England Test skipper Ben Stokes along with a cryptic "07:07".
Fans connected Ashwin's tweet with Hardik Pandya's Instagram post and speculated that spinner could have meant the Mumbai Indians skipper as another possible signing target for CSK.
Hardik returned to Mumbai Indians prior to the IPL 2024 season after an all-cash deal from Gujarat Titans. In 2022, Hardik Pandya led Gujarat Titans to the IPL title.
However, things haven't gone as well for the all-rounder since he returned to Mumbai Indians. MI haven't made it to the playoffs in two out of the three seasons since Hardik took charge, including their pathetic 9th-place finish in IPL 2026.
Currently, there is no official confirmation on Hardik Pandya's situation, however the cryptic tweet by the Indian spinner has once again sent fans in a tizzy ahead of next IPL season.