"Thakur has not come in as a replacement for Chahar" - Former KKR batter's big claim on MI's trade ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Former India and KKR batter Aakash Chopra reckons that Mumbai Indians (MI) have not acquired all-rounder Shardul Thakur as a replacement option for Deepak Chahar in IPL 2026. According to Chopra, Thakur has come into the picture to complement Chahar in the MI camp.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) traded Thakur to MI for his existing player fee of ₹2 crore. The all-rounder was picked by the Lucknow franchise for IPL 2025 as an injury replacement for Moshin Khan. While he proved expensive, the right-arm pacer did come up with some impressive performances.

Analyzing MI's decision to acquire Thakur's services for IPL 2026 through a trade deal with LSG, Chopra credited the franchise. He said on his YouTube channel:

"Shardul Thakur is a good option for MI. He comes from Mumbai, plays domestic cricket for them and knows the [Wankhede Stadium] very well. MI need a swing bowler, so Thakur is a good option that way. "That also starts a speculation as to whether you want to let go Deepak Chahar. Are you looking to release Chahar to buy him back? Are you thinking of something else? These questions come to mind. I feel Thakur has not come in as a replacement for Chahar. He is possibly going to play with Chahar. Let's see what Mumbai does." Chopra added.

Thakur has played 105 IPL matches and has claimed 107 wickets at an average of 30.31 and an economy rate of 9.40, with two four-fers. With the bat, he has scored 325 runs at a strike rate of just under 140. As for Chahar, he has claimed 88 wickets in 95 IPL games at an economy rate of 8.13.

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"Sherfane Rutherford is a big acquisition" - Akash Chopra on MI-GT trade deal ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Apart from Thakur, MI have also acquired the services of big-hitting West Indies batter Sherfane Rutherford following a trade deal with Gujarat Titans (GT). Rutherford has been traded for his fee of ₹2.6 crore. Chopra reckons that the Windies batter is a smart acquisition for MI. He elaborated:

"Sherfane Rutherford is a big acquisition. Leaving aside his recent form, he is a good player. He has his issues with wide yorkers, but Mumbai was looking for a lower order batter. Getting a lower order batter for such a price outside of the auction should make you happy. Mumbai Indians have cracked it when it comes to value trades."

Rutherford has played 23 IPL matches so far and has scored 397 runs at an average of 24.81 and a strike rate of 137.37. He has the experience of 44 T20Is in which he has scored 588 at an average of 18.37 and a strike rate of 137.38.

Edited by Renin Wilben Albert