In what comes as a big development, the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are engaged in discussions over Shardul Thakur and Arjun Tendulkar.
According to a report in Cricbuzz, Arjun Tendulkar and Shardul Thakur are very likely to exchange franchises, but unlike the Sanju Samson-Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran trade deal, it may be treated or interpreted as individual deals – more precisely, straightforward all-cash transfers.
The news can be confirmed by the Mumbai Indians on November 15, along with the list of released and retained players.
Thakur was roped in by the LSG as a player replacement at his base price of 2 crore. He was unsold in the mega auction in Jeddah, but bagged a lucky deal before the start of IPL 2025. He played 10 games for the team and scored a mere 18 runs; however, he had a decent run with the ball and picked up 13 wickets. He was used as an opening bowler quite frequently and did reasonably well.
Meanwhile, Tendulkar has been part of the MI set-up for a couple of seasons. He was picked at his base price of 20 lakh by the franchise both times he enrolled in the auction. The all-rounder hasn’t had much chance during his stay at MI. He has featured in five IPL games, scoring 13 runs and taking three wickets.
R Ashwin Accidentally Confirms Shardur Thakur’s Move To MI
The news comes soon after R Ashwin accidentally confirmed Shardul Thakur’s move to the Mumbai Indians. “Mumbai Indians will not release anyone. The biggest factor for them is Deepak Chahar, who is a bit injury prone, they have secured Shardul Thakur on a trade from LSG as his replacement. The deal is done now. MI may need another spinner, but they will find that too very easily,” Ashwin said in a now deleted segment in a video on his YouTube channel.