IPL 2026: In a major update ahead of IPL 2026, five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) have pulled off a big move by trading in pace-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Rumours of the transfer had been circulating for weeks, and on Thursday, November 13, the Indian Premier League (IPL) governing council made it official – Shardul Thakur is now part of the Mumbai Indians squad.
Shardul Thakur traded to MI for INR 2 crore
The IPL governing council confirmed the trade in an official statement, revealing that Shardul Thakur was moved to MI from LSG for INR 2 crore.
“Lucknow Super Giants all-rounder, Shardul Thakur is all set to represent Mumbai Indians, following a trade between the two franchises. The Mumbai based all-rounder was picked up by the Lucknow Super Giants for INR 2 crore as an injury replacement for the 18th edition of the league, 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 statement read.
Read More
While fans are still waiting for the much-talked-about Ravindra Jadeja-Sanju Samson trade to be confirmed, Mumbai Indians have already made their move, bringing in Thakur in an all-cash deal. This also makes Shardul the first player in IPL history to be traded three times.
A look back at Shardul’s IPL journey
Thakur’s IPL career has seen him don several jerseys. In 2017, he was bought by Rising Pune Supergiant from Punjab Kings. Before the 2023 season, he was traded from the Delhi Capitals to the Kolkata Knight Riders – both times in all-cash deals.
Interestingly, Shardul Thakur went unsold in the 2025 mega auction before signing with Essex to play in the County Championships. However, when Mohsin Khan was ruled out of IPL 2025 due to injury, LSG signed Thakur as a replacement.
Read More
He started the season impressively, taking six wickets in his first two games, including a four-wicket haul. But he struggled for consistency as the tournament went on, ending with 13 wickets in 10 matches at an economy rate of 11.02.
Mumbai Indians – Shardul’s seventh IPL team
With this trade, the Mumbai Indians become the seventh IPL team that Shardul Thakur has represented. Over the years, he has played for Punjab Kings, Rising Pune Supergiant, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, and now Mumbai Indians.
Thakur also joins a rare group of cricketers who have represented both MI and CSK, two of the league’s most iconic teams.
So far, Shardul Thakur has played 105 IPL matches, picking up 107 wickets at an average of 30.31 and an economy of 9.4. With the bat, he has scored 325 runs in 42 innings at a strike rate of 139.48.
His addition will strengthen Mumbai’s bowling attack, while his ability to score quick runs lower down the order gives the team extra depth. For MI fans, Thakur’s return to his home franchise adds another exciting dimension to the squad ahead of the new season.
ALSO READ: IND vs SA: Live Streaming, Match Time, And Full Squads For 1st Unofficial ODI
