LSG Trades Shardul Thakur to MI for 2 Crore Rupees

Lucknow Super Giants traded all-rounder Shardul Thakur to Mumbai Indians on Thursday in an all-cash deal worth his base price of 2 crore rupees, two days before the IPL retention deadline on November 15. The move, confirmed through official channels and submitted to the IPL governing council for ratification, marks the first player transaction ahead of the 2026 season and brings the 34-year-old Mumbai native back to his home franchise for the first time in the league.

Thakur joined Lucknow as a replacement for injured pacer Mohsin Khan before the 2025 season, after going unsold in the mega auction in Jeddah. In 10 matches for the Super Giants, he took 13 wickets at an average of 28.84 and an economy rate of 11.02, while scoring 18 runs. He often opened the bowling in the powerplay, providing early breakthroughs despite a dip in form later in the campaign.

The deal strengthens Mumbai's pace bowling options, where they struggled for depth beyond Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, and captain Hardik Pandya last season. Former India batter Mohammad Kaif highlighted Thakur's potential fit, noting on his YouTube channel that he could serve as a reliable third or fourth seamer at Wankhede...