Shardul Thakur's Trade to Mumbai Indians and IPL Pre-Auction Buzz

The Times of India
Shardul Thakur's Trade to Mumbai Indians and IPL Pre-Auction Buzz - Article illustration from The Times of India

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Ravichandran Ashwin announced on his YouTube channel that Shardul Thakur has been traded from Lucknow Super Giants to Mumbai Indians. This news coincides with potential trades involving Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. As IPL auction approaches, team strategies are in focus, including MI’s need to fill the gap left by Deepak Chahar's injuries. Shardul, having represented six prior teams in the IPL, aims to make an impact in his new role, amid ongoing trade talks and excitement for the upcoming season.

In recent developments concerning the Indian Premier League (IPL), former cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin revealed significant trade news involving Shardul Thakur. On his YouTube channel 'Ash Ki Baat', Ashwin mentioned that Thakur, an all-rounder previously with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has been traded to Mumbai Indians (MI). This statement adds to the ongoing discussions around team strategies ahead of the IPL auction scheduled for December 15-16. Reports indicate that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are exploring a potential trade involving Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran in exchange for Rajasthan Royals' Sanju Samson.

Ashwin expressed confidence in MI’s strategy for the upcoming season, noting that he does not foresee any major releases from the team. He pointed out the need for MI to address their bowling lineup, especially considering Deepak Chahar's injury history. According to Ashwin, securing Shardul Thakur represents a proactive measure by MI to strengthen their squad. Thakur, who took 13 wickets in 10 matches during IPL 2025, has shown his potential as a valuable player, which includes a four-wicket haul and a noteworthy economy rate of 11.02.

The anticipated trade will mark the seventh IPL franchise for Shardul Thakur. His previous engagements include teams such as Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Chennai Super Kings, further highlighting his extensive experience in the league. Meanwhile, the buzz surrounding potential trades and player movements continues to grow as franchises prepare for the upcoming auction, with fans eagerly anticipating the decisions that will shape the next season of the IPL.

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