Mumbai Indians have reinstated Shardul Thakur into their squad after completing a trade with Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the IPL 2026 season. The all-rounder joins Mumbai at his base price of INR 2 crore.
Thakur had gone unsold at the 2025 auction but was later picked by Lucknow as an injury replacement for Mohsin Khan. He played ten matches last season, took thirteen wickets and often bowled in heavy overs. His economic rate of 11.02, although expensive, did not prevent him from making a few breakthroughs.
Lucknow chose to release him now to free up funds. The team is chasing a top foreign all-rounder and needed more room in their pockets. The move also fits into their broader realignment ahead of the retention deadline.
Mumbai, on the other hand, were keen to strengthen their bowling depth without spending a lot of money at the auction. Thakur’s experience and ability to bowl at different stages made him a useful choice. They had been eyeing him since last season and acted quickly when the opportunity arose.
A separate cash deal is likely to send Arjun Tendulkar from Mumbai to Lucknow. His salary of INR 30 lakh helps balance budgets for both parties. Mumbai wants a purse of at least INR 30 crore for the auction, and releasing Arjun will help them achieve that goal. For Lucknow, Arjun offers a cheaper Indian pace option as they rebuild their squad.
The transaction was first hinted at by R Ashwin, who mentioned it in a video a day earlier but later deleted the clip. When the announcement became official, Mumbai used the same footage, confirming the news.
The IPL has issued a statement to clear the air. It said, “Shardul Thakur is all set to represent Mumbai Indians, following a trade between the two franchises. He was picked up by the Lucknow Super Giants for INR 2 crore as an injury replacement for the 18th edition, in which he featured in 10 matches. Shardul has been a utility player for franchises he has represented, delivering clutch performances time and again. The all-rounder has been traded to Mumbai Indians for his existing player fee of INR 2 crore.”
The timing of the transaction makes it even more interesting. Now that the retention lists will be ready soon, both teams are busy accelerating their plans. Mumbai is rebuilding after a tough 2025 season. Lucknow wants more flexibility at the auction. Thakur’s move and the possible transfer of Arjun are the first signs of a busy trading period.
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