Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur has been officially traded from the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to the Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season.
Deal Breakdown
The trade was confirmed on 13 November 2025.
Thakur was acquired by Mumbai Indians for his existing player fee of INR 2 crore.
The deal was executed between MI and LSG; the specific player MI will release (if any) to accommodate Thakur has not been disclosed.
Background & Context
In the 2025 season, Shardul Thakur filled in at LSG as an injury replacement (for Mohsin Khan) and played 10 matches, taking 13 wickets.
Prior to this trade, Thakur went unsold at the 2025 mega-auction, later picked up by LSG for INR 2 crore.
The Mumbai Indians are bolstering their depth as they prepare for the upcoming auction and the season ahead. The trade of Thakur is one of the first major moves in the off-season.
Why This Move Matters
Thakur brings a seam-bowling all-rounder option: he offers ability with the new ball + lower-order batting contributions. That versatility is often highly sought in IPL squads.
For Mumbai Indians, who have a history of mixing star power with utility players, Thakur strengthens their all-round options.
For LSG, the decision to trade him signals they might favour other resources or restructure their balance ahead of the auction.
From a player-perspective, Thakur returns to his home city franchise (he’s from Mumbai) which may offer extra motivation and comfort.
The trade underscores the increasing importance of pre-auction trades in the IPL ecosystem, illustrating how franchises are managing their lists before auctions for IPL 2026.
Reaction
While official quotes from Thakur or either franchise weren’t detailed in the public release, the trade announcement by the IPL stated:
“The all-rounder has been traded to Mumbai Indians for his existing player fee of INR 2 crore.”
