Which team will win the title in IPL is decided during the tournament which lasts for 2 months. But how the team will perform in these 2 months is decided a few months before the start of the season, in which even small decisions prove to be very important. Often these decisions are taken during the auction but sometimes even before that some steps are taken which change the story. A similar decision was taken by Mumbai Indians before the IPL 2026 season, when the team left out Arjun Tendulkar and included Shardul Thakur in its squad. This decision proved to be absolutely correct in the very first match of the new season.
Mumbai Indians, captained by Hardik Pandya, started their journey in IPL 2026 on 29 March. In this match against Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians bowled first. Shardul Thakur also got a place in the playing-11 for this match, which was his debut match for Mumbai and he became a hit in this debut itself. to Kolkata Ajinkya Rahane And the opening pair of Finn Allen made an explosive start and added 50 runs within 4 overs.
Only Shardul could control KKR
The attack of KKR’s opening pair was so strong that bowlers like Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya were defeated. In such a situation, Shardul Thakur was put to bowl in the sixth over and he showed his magic in just 2 balls. Shardul, famous for breaking big partnerships, again did the same feat and dismissed Finn Allen. After this, in his very next over, Shardul also sent Cameron Green back to the pavilion.
After this, Shardul was removed from the attack and his third over came quite late. During this time, KKR captain Rahane also completed his explosive half-century. Once again when the partnership was getting bigger, Shardul returned and dismissed Rahane as soon as he came. In this way, Shardul took the first three wickets of KKR, that too in his 3 overs. Although he did not get success in the fourth over, he took 3 wickets for 39 runs in his 4 overs, while Bumrah could not take even a single wicket.
Traded in exchange for Arjun
Shardul was a part of Lucknow Super Giants last season and then he took 13 wickets. After this, just before the auction, Mumbai traded Shardul to Lucknow. In return, the team sent left-arm pacer Arjun Tendulkar to Lucknow. For Mumbai, this decision turned out to be right in the very first match. Now whether Lucknow will also get the benefit of this decision or not, it will be known only as the season progresses.