Chennai Super Kings (CSK) seemingly dropped a hint that Hardik Pandya could be joining them in a blockbuster trade deal from Mumbai Indians (MI) in a social media post that has got the internet talking. With the retention deadline less than 20 days away, talks over which franchise the 2022 IPL title-winning skipper will play for in 2027 have been a topic of discussion in the cricket fraternity.

While MI are yet to issue an official statement, it is widely reported that Hardik will not remain their captain in the 20th edition after a disasterous three-year tenure in the top job. Hence, attention has moved towards whether Hardik will stay at the five-time champions and play under a new captain or opt to leave.

Rumours over a trade deal have been active since the 2026 season ended, and the Super Kings have been linked. On Tuesday (October 27), the Super Kings posted a video with head coach Zaheer Khan in which he announced his coaching staff. However, it was the end of the same clip that raised eyebrows, as the franchise's mascot seemingly asked the former India pacer about a trade deal. The placard had the number 33 written on it, which is Hardik's jersey number with both Team India and MI.

Former Chennai Super Kings star Ravichandran Ashwin replied to the clip and indicated that the deal could be in the works.

"Onnnnn??Proper cooking," wrote Ashwin on X.

For years, the Super Kings were a franchise that stayed away from the trade market, and signing Robin Uthappa before the 2021 campaign (from Rajasthan Royals) was the only deal they did till 2025, when they made a high-profile move to sign Sanju Samson from the Royals before the 2026 campaign.

With the franchise now entering the trade market, they emerge as one of the favourites to sign the star all-rounder. The Super Kings are looking for a revamp of the squad after failing to make the playoffs for three years in a row. They have already announced a complete overhaul of the coaching staff.