Next team of Hardik Pandya?
Personally, I think KKR is the most likely destination for Hardik Pandya if Mumbai Indians decide to release or trade him. Hardik would probably only join a team that is willing to give him captaincy responsibilities, and KKR currently looks like a franchise that could consider a leadership change. Ajinkya Rahane did not have a very convincing season, both as a captain and as an opener adapting to the modern T20 approach.
Other franchises also seem less likely. CSK already has leaders like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson, while RCB appears fully invested in Rajat Patidar after their recent success. PBKS will almost certainly continue backing Shreyas Iyer, and teams like DC or RR do not look like franchises that would aggressively pursue Hardik specifically as a captain. And if he goes back to GT I. don't believe he'll get the respect that he had nor will the GT owners want him to be back again on their side as he already left GT for MI.
Because of that, KKR feels like the most logical option. I can see them considering a trade involving Cameron Green. Green is a quality player, but he is naturally more of a top-order batter, whereas KKR originally needed someone who could eventually replace Andre Russell’s lower-order finishing role. A prime Hardik Pandya fits that role much more naturally. Along with that, KKR would also solve their captaincy concerns, making the move strategically sensible for both sides.