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Star Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) all-rounder Shardul Thakur has been traded to the Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of the IPL 2026 retention deadline. The official confirmation came out on Thursday, November 13.
Shardul Thakur was initially unsold during the IPL 2025 auction. However, the all-rounder was roped in by LSG as a replacement player before the season began. He was picked at his base price of ₹2 crore.
Come IPL 2026, he will be seen representing his home franchise, MI. Notably, Mumbai traded in Shardul in an all-cash deal for his existing player fee of ₹2 crore. The franchise also posted a video of Shardul Thakur in MI's jersey on their Instagram handle ahead of the upcoming season.
Last season, the all-rounder played 10 matches for LSG. He bagged 13 wickets at an average of 28.84 and an economy of 11.02. Overall, he has played 105 matches in the league and has represented Punjab Kings (PBKS), Rising Pune Super Giants, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Delhi Capitals (DC), and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as well.
He has picked up 107 wickets and has scored 325 runs with a half-century at a strike-rate of 139.48.
Former India batter oulines why MI would look to trade in Shardul
Just a day before the news broke out, former India batter Mohammad Kaif outlined the possible reason behind the Mumbai Indians looking to trade in Shardul Thakur. While the five-time champions had a quality pace attack with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, and Hardik Pandya, they struggled for a consistent third or fourth pacer.
Kaif reckoned that they would eye Shardul as a third or fourth pacer in the side. He also added that the all-rounder could be used as a floater in the batting order.
"Shardul can be your third or fourth bowler. He is not a new ball bowler. He cannot be your primary pacer. So that might be the only reason Mumbai are asking for him. They have Hardik, Bumrah, and Boult but they had an issue with the third and fourth seamer last year. They tried a few new players. So if this deal is going through, it is only because Shardul can do well at Wankhede and he can score as well. He can do what Krunal used to do on that pitch. Maybe the plan is to get a third seamer and a floater batter," he said on his YouTube channel.Representing Mumbai in domestic cricket, Shardul would be well aware of the conditions at the Wankhede. That said, his experience could certainly come in handy.
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Edited by Rishab Vm
English (US)