Ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League, Shardul Thakur, an all-rounder for the Lucknow Super Giants, was traded to the Mumbai Indians on Thursday for Rs 2 crore.
“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.
“The all-rounder has been traded to Mumbai Indians for his existing player fee of INR 2 crore,” said the IPL in a statement.
In 105 IPL games, Thakur has amassed 325 runs and claimed 107 wickets.
Thakur filled in for the injured Mohsin Khan for LSG last season. He has represented several IPL teams, such as the Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and CSK.
In addition to playing for India in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy over the English summer, Thakur has been leading Mumbai in the current Ranji Trophy season. Thakur’s most recent white-ball international appearances were in an ODI against Bangladesh in October 2023 and a T20I against the West Indies at Eden Gardens in February 2022.
Thakur found himself without a buyer during the last auction. It was reported that Thakur had contacted a number of franchise owners prior to the auction and received some promises that he would be considered; nevertheless, none of the ten teams selected him during the two-day auction.
Disappointed but unflinching, Thakur swiftly signed a deal with the English county team Essex, but he included a condition that would let him to depart if an IPL offer materialized.
Then, following Mohsin Khan’s ACL tear during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Thakur received a call from former India pacer Zaheer Khan, who was then employed by LSG, alerting him to a potential opportunity with the team.
As usual, Thakur had a great start to the season and at one point held the Purple Cap for being the top wicket-taker. Despite being expensive at 11.03 runs per over, he ended the season with 13 wickets from 10 games.
“What is important for me is to keep playing matches and perform. To get back into the Indian team, I also need to keep having those good, match-winning performances, which is eventually going to help in the selection. And, yes, the ODI World Cup is also in South Africa so there might be a place open for a bowling all-rounder at No. 8. I am, of course, eyeing that spot. Whenever the Indian team needs me or whenever I am selected, I am ready to play international cricket. My preparation is such that if tomorrow I am asked to play international cricket, I am ready,” a PTI report quoted Thakur as saying.
