Arshdeep Out, Hardik In! Ness Wadia Explains Punjab Kings’ Bold ₹18 Crore Gamble
Under captain Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting, Punjab reached the IPL final in 2025 and looked strong in 2026 before losing their way late in the season. Wadia says a lack of big-match experience and a bit of overconfidence cost them. Comparing his squad to English football club Arsenal right before they started winning titles, he believes Punjab is almost at the finish line. They just needed someone with a "Midas touch" to push them over it.
XtraTime Webdesk: When a team trades away a local boy who has been their main bowler for eight years, fans ask questions. Why would Punjab Kings let Arshdeep Singh go to Mumbai Indians?
According to co-owner Ness Wadia, the answer is simple: Punjab is tired of coming close and not winning the trophy.
Under captain Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting, Punjab reached the IPL final in 2025 and looked strong in 2026 before losing their way late in the season. Wadia says a lack of big-match experience and a bit of overconfidence cost them. Comparing his squad to English football club Arsenal right before they started winning titles, he believes Punjab is almost at the finish line. They just needed someone with a "Midas touch" to push them over it.
That is where Hardik Pandya comes in. With five IPL trophies already in his cabinet, Hardik knows how to win big games. Plus, he worked with Ponting during his early days in Mumbai and shares immense mutual respect with him.
When Mumbai Indians came knocking for Mohali's own Arshdeep, both teams locked in on a direct Rs 18 crore swap. No other players were ever discussed.
For Wadia, seeing a homegrown talent wanted so badly by a top team brought pride rather than sadness. Meanwhile, Punjab gets a long-term match-winner in Hardik to help Iyer and Ponting turn near-misses into ch
ampionships.