This Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 The trade window has accelerated rapidly as franchises rush to finalize their strategic lineups ahead of the looming draft deadline this month. Fifth champion Mumbai Indians (mi) Executed three major deals securing experienced all-rounders Shardul thakur and Sherfane Rutherford Through all cash transactions designed to bring proven talent into key areas.
A separate, yet related, trade allowed MI’s left-handed pacer to depart Arjun Tendulkarwho moves Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) This strategic shift, highlighted by MI and LSG’s proactive efforts in the weeks leading up to the Mega-Auction in Abu Dhabi, represents significant squad balancing acts across the league.
IPL 2026: Mumbai Indians (mi) Secure Shardul Thakur and Sherfane Rutherford
MI has successfully executed a targeted strategy to provide two experienced all-rounders and versatile, two-way trade deals that are versatile and versatile. The five-time champion provided the services of the Indian all-rounder for the first time Shardul thakur From LSG for current player fees INR 2 croresan important homecoming move for the player. A support bowler for MI between 2010 and 2012, Thakur now captains the Mumbai domestic side, which offers a strong cultural fit and understanding of the local cricket ecosystem for the utility player.
🚨 News 🚨
Shardul Thakur sold @mipaltan from @Lucknowipl.
More information 👉 https://t.co/drd5bdo3fs#Tataipl | @imshard pic.twitter.com/fg7qcip07u
– IndianPremierLeague (@ipl) 13 November 2025
After an initial burst in the first two matches with a strike rate of 11.02 in the 2025 season, Mi has been able to deliver clutch performances with both bat and ball given the injury history of other Indian fast bowling options. In their second acquisition, MI has successfully secured the services of a dynamic West Indian fruit Sherfane Rutherford from Gujarat titans for INR 2.6 croresthe same fee GT paid for him in the last auction. Part of the Mi squad in 2020, Rutherford has a solid performance in the 2025 season, boasting the top goal scorer 291 runs With a blistering strike rate of 137.29 in 13 games, thereby bolstering the franchise’s formidable finishing line-up.
🚨 News 🚨
Sold by Sherfane Rutherford @gujarat_titans for @mipaltan.
More 👉 https://t.co/zi36xk6ohn#Tataipl | @Srutherford50_ pic.twitter.com/4vlsv88juv
– IndianPremierLeague (@ipl) 13 November 2025
IPL 2026: Arjun Tendulkar trade to Lucknow super giants
Separately, despite being highly scrutinised, the trade deal saw Mumbai Indians complete a move for the left-arm fast bowler Arjun Tendulkar to LSG for its base price INR 30 lakhs. The transaction, which has been linked to Shardul Thakur Alma, saw Mi release the young talent to provide more consistent playing opportunities in the new franchise.
Tendulkar has been linked with the champions five times since the 2021 auction, but with his extremely limited game, he has only featured in five IPL games, finding three wicket scalps at a high economy rate of 9.36 during his start. Despite traveling to Goa for first-class and one-day debut domestic cricket, he proved consistent exposure with the highly competitive MI setup. LSG’s decision to bring in the left-arm seamer, even after Shardul’s departure, looks like a low-cost, high-potential move to deepen India’s fast bowling resources and utilize the unique angle he provides. The trade is seen as a necessary move for the 26-year-old Tendulkar, given a fresh start and a clearer path away from Xi’s filter and the expectations associated with setting up the Mumbai franchise.
Read: IPL 2026: Ravichandran Ashwin Offers CSK 3 Players in Mini-Auction
