In a big move ahead of the IPL 2026 season, Mumbai Indians (MI) have reportedly signed Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur from the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
The news came out around November 12, 2025, after former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin spoke about it on his YouTube show. Although the franchises are yet to release an official statement, multiple cricket news outlets have confirmed that both of the sides have agreed in principle to the transfer.
Background
Shardul Thakur is a right-arm fast-medium bowler and he is also capable of scoring runs lower-order. Shardul has been one of India’s consistent multi-format players. Known as “Lord Shardul” among fans for his knack of delivering in pressure moments, he has represented several IPL franchises, including Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Lucknow Super Giants.
After Shardul Thakur went unsold at the IPL 2025 auction, he joined Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) later in the season as a replacement for Mohsin Khan as Mohsin was injured. Even though he played only a few matches, he made a strong impact with the ball, taking 13 wickets in 10 games and delivering important breakthroughs for his team.
Details of the Reported Deal
According to a few reports, Mumbai Indians (MI) have signed Shardul Thakur from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) through a trade deal. However, it may not be a direct player swap. Sources say the move could be done as separate financial transactions, with MI paying LSG instead of exchanging players one-on-one.
It is also being widely reported that Arjun Tendulkar could move to Lucknow as part of the roster changes. Neither franchise has confirmed this officially, but insiders believe both transfers could be processed together before the IPL 2026 retention deadline on November 15.
Also read: IPL 2026: List of Players Gujarat Titans Likely to Release and Retain Ahead of Mini Auction
Why Mumbai Indians Made This Move
Getting Shardul Thakur seems to be a smart and planned move by the Mumbai Indians (MI) management. Over the years, MI have always focused on having strong Indian players who can balance the team’s overseas stars.
Bowling Depth: MI’s pace attack is strong but has faced injury issues in recent seasons. Thakur gives them a reliable backup for bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and can bowl both in the powerplay and at the death.
All-Round Value: Thakur’s ability to score quick runs in the lower order adds much-needed batting depth, something MI have often looked for in their squad.
Home Connection: Being a Mumbai-born player who represents the city in domestic cricket, Thakur’s move feels like a homecoming. It also makes MI’s Indian lineup stronger alongside Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma.
What It Means for Lucknow Super Giants
For LSG, letting go of Thakur could be a way to adjust their team before the auction. If they get Arjun Tendulkar or some extra money in return, it would help them:
- Open salary-cap space for new signings.
- Invest in a younger bowling option.
- Maintain a mix of experienced and developing domestic players.
LSG have been active in reshaping their squad since their debut, and this trade aligns with that approach.
Shardul Thakur’s IPL Career Stats
| Statistics | Bowling | Batting |
| Matches | 105 | 105 |
| Innings | 92 | 37 |
| Wickets | 107 | – |
| Runs | – | 325 |
| Average | 30.32 | 11.61 |
| Strike Rate | – | 139.48 |
Best Batting Score – 68 (29) vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2023
What Lies Ahead
Official Confirmation: Both MI and LSG are expected to announce the trade before the retention deadline.
Auction Strategy: The move could influence MI’s auction plans, especially if they now focus on overseas finishers or spinners.
Role at MI: Thakur is likely to be used as a bowling all-rounder, supporting Bumrah and contributing runs at No. 7 or 8.
For Fans: If confirmed, this will be one of the most interesting domestic transfers before the IPL 2026 season, marking another chapter in MI’s tradition of tactical signings.
Conclusion
The reported transfer of Shardul Thakur to Mumbai Indians underlines how dynamic the IPL trade market has become. While official confirmation is still awaited, the move fits perfectly into Mumbai’s philosophy of combining experience, flexibility, and strong domestic talent.
For Shardul, it represents a homecoming, a chance to perform for his city and one of the most successful franchises in IPL history.
Written by Kinjal Walantra