Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes Hardik Pandya's move to Punjab Kings (PBKS) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season will bolster their middle and lower-order batting, though he voiced concern over the franchise's bowling attack following Arshdeep Singh's departure.

Formally confirmed on Wednesday after days of intense speculation, the high-profile swap between Mumbai Indians (MI) and PBKS prompted Pathan to share his assessment on X. While praising Hardik Pandya's batting impact, he stressed that Punjab must replace Arshdeep and invest in a quality spinner.