Shardul Thakur Moves to Mumbai Indians in Pre-Auction Trade Shake-Up
Shardul Thakur joins Mumbai Indians in a INR 2 crore trade as Lucknow reshapes squad ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.
Mumbai Indians have brought Shardul Thakur back into their squad after completing a trade with Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the IPL 2026 season. The all-rounder joins Mumbai for his base price of INR 2 crore.
Thakur had gone unsold in the 2025 auction but was later picked by Lucknow as an injury replacement for Mohsin Khan. He played 10 games last season, took 13 wickets, and often bowled in tough overs. His economy rate of 11.02, though expensive, did not stop him from delivering the odd breakthrough.
Lucknow chose to release him now to free up funds. The team is chasing a top overseas all-rounder and needed more space in their purse. The move also fits their wider reshuffle before the retention deadline.
Mumbai, on the other hand, were keen to strengthen their bowling depth without spending big at the auction. Thakur’s experience and ability to bowl at different stages made him a useful pick. They had kept an eye on him since last season and moved quickly once the opportunity opened.
A separate cash deal is likely to send Arjun Tendulkar from Mumbai to Lucknow. His INR 30 lakh salary helps balance budgets for both sides. Mumbai want a purse of at least INR 30 crore for the auction, and releasing Arjun helps them move toward that target. For Lucknow, Arjun offers a cheaper Indian pace option as they reconstruct their squad.
The trade was first hinted at by R Ashwin, who mentioned it in a video a day earlier but later removed the clip. Once the announcement became official, Mumbai used the same footage, confirming the news.
The IPL issued a statement to clear the air. It read, “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, wherein he featured in 10 games. Shardul has been a utility player for franchises he has represented, putting in 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 trade makes it even more interesting. With retention lists due soon, both teams are fast-tracking their plans. Mumbai are rebuilding after a tough 2025 season. Lucknow want more flexibility at the auction. Thakur’s move and Arjun’s possible transfer are early signs of what could be a busy trade window.
