Shardul Thakur, Arjun Tendulkar set to swap IPL teams: Report
What's the story
Ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, a major player exchange is on the cards. According to Cricbuzz, Mumbai Indians's young pacer Arjun Tendulkar is set to join Lucknow Super Giants. In return, Shardul Thakur will move from LSG to MI. The development comes as teams prepare for the upcoming season with player retention and release lists due on November 15. Here's more.
Player profiles
Thakur played 10 matches for LSG last season
Thakur, who captains Mumbai in Ranji Trophy, was signed by LSG for his base price of ₹2 crore ahead of last season after going unsold at the 2025 IPL mega auction in Jeddah. He played 10 matches for LSG last season, scoring a modest 18 runs but impressing with the ball by taking 13 wickets. Tendulkar has been part of MI's setup for two seasons after being picked at his base price of ₹20 lakh in both auctions he attended.
Career highlights
Tendulkar didn't play a single match last season
Despite being part of MI's squad for two seasons, Tendulkar didn't play a single match last season. He has played four games in the last two seasons, three in 2023 and one last year. Overall, he has played five IPL matches, scoring 13 runs and taking three wickets. Notably, two years ago Tendulkar had moved from Mumbai to Goa in domestic cricket where he has since played 21 first-class games.
Ashwin
Shardul Thakur traded to MI, claims R Ashwin
Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has revealed that all-rounder Thakur has been traded to the Mumbai Indians. The news was shared on Ashwin's YouTube channel 'Ash Ki Baat,' adding another twist to the pre-auction talks. Ashwin said, "I don't see any releases happening from MI. Will they try to secure a replacement for Deepak Chahar, who's a bit injury-prone? They have secured Shardul Thakur on a trade from LSG. That is already done."