Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 The trading window has become increasingly intense as franchises are busy finalizing their strategic squads ahead of this month’s impending retention deadline. five-time champion Mumbai Indians (MI) Executed three major deals securing experienced all-rounders Shardul Thakur And Sherfane Rutherford Through an all-cash transaction designed to add proven talent in key sectors.
In a separate, yet related trade, MI allowed the left-arm pacer to depart Arjun Tendulkarthe one who walks Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) These tactical shuffles represent significant squad balancing actions taking place across the league, highlighting MI and LSG’s proactive efforts just weeks ahead of the mega-auction in Abu Dhabi.
IPL 2026: Mumbai Indians (MI) secure Shardul Thakur and Sherfane Rutherford
MI successfully executed a targeted strategy to acquire two experienced all-rounders, while gaining much-needed depth and versatility through two significant one-way all-cash trade deals. The five-time champions were the first to acquire the services of the Indian all-rounder. Shardul Thakur From LSG for its current player fee 2 crore rupeesA move that marks an important homecoming for the player. Thakur, who was a supporting bowler for MI between 2010 and 2012, is currently the captain of the Mumbai domestic team, which suggests a strong cultural fit for the utility player and an understanding of the local cricket ecosystem.
🚨News 🚨
Shardul Thakur has been traded @mipaltan From @LucknowIPL,
More information 👉 https://t.co/drd5BdO3fS#TATAIPL , @imShard pic.twitter.com/fG7QcIP07U
– IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) 13 November 2025
Despite Thakur’s struggles with an economy rate of 11.02 after taking six wickets in his first two matches in the 2025 season, MI see him as an important Indian all-rounder who is capable of producing great performances with both bat and ball, which is necessary given the injury history of some of their other Indian fast bowling options. In their second acquisition, MI successfully secured the services of the dynamic West Indian batsman Sherfane Rutherford From Gujarat Titans For Rs 2.6 croreThe same fee that GT had paid for it in the previous auction. Rutherford, who was part of the MI squad in 2020, added significant left-handed hitting power to the middle order, boasting a strong performance in the 2025 season where he scored 291 runs With a whopping strike rate of 157.29 in 13 games, bolstering the franchise’s formidable finishing unit.
🚨News 🚨
Sherfane Rutherford has been traded. @gujarat_titans To @mipaltan,
Description 👉 https://t.co/zi36xK6OHg#TATAIPL , @SRutherford50_ pic.twitter.com/4vlSV88jUv
– IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) 13 November 2025
IPL 2026: Arjun Tendulkar traded to Lucknow Super Giants
In a separate, though highly scrutinized, trade deal, Mumbai Indians finalized the move of the left-arm fast bowler Arjun Tendulkar LSG for its base price 30 lakh rupeesThis transaction, which is widely believed to be linked to the acquisition of Shardul Thakur, saw MI strategically releasing the young talent to ensure that he gets more consistent playing opportunities at the new franchise,
Tendulkar had been linked with the five-time champions since the 2021 auction, but he got extremely limited playing time, playing only five IPL games in his entire tenure, where he managed to take just three wickets at a high economy rate of 9.36. Despite a move to Goa for domestic cricket, where he made his first-class and one-day debut, consistent performances proved elusive in the highly competitive MI setup. LSG’s decision to bring in the left-arm pacer despite Shardul’s departure is seen as a low-cost, high-potential move to deepen their Indian fast bowling resources and utilize the unique angle he provides. The trade is seen as a necessary move for the 26-year-old Tendulkar, providing him with a fresh start away from the intense media scrutiny and expectations inherent in the Mumbai franchise setup and a clear path to the playing XI.
Also read: IPL 2026: Ravichandran Ashwin suggests CSK should target 3 players in mini-auction
