IPL 2026's first trade deal announced, Mumbai acquires Shardul Thakur for this much crore
IPL 2026: The trade window ahead of the IPL 2026 auction has been in the news. Several reports regarding trade deals have surfaced over the past few days. Amidst all this, the first trade deal of the 19th season has been announced, involving an interesting deal between the Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians. India's experienced all-rounder Shardul Thakur is now part of the Mumbai Indians. He played for the Lucknow Super Giants last season.
He was part of the Lucknow Super Giants last season.
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IPL 2026's first trade deal announced
Mumbai Indians have acquired Shardul Thakur in a cash deal. This means there hasn't been a player exchange between the two teams, but rather Mumbai has acquired Lucknow Super Giants for cash, spending ₹2 crore (approximately $1.5 million). Lucknow Super Giants also acquired Shardul Thakur as a replacement player for ₹2 crore (approximately $1.5 million) last year.
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An IPL press release stated, "Following an agreement between the two franchises, Lucknow Super Giants all-rounder Shardul Thakur is set to play for Mumbai Indians. The Mumbai all-rounder was acquired by Lucknow Super Giants for ₹2 crore (approximately $1.5 million) as a replacement player for the 18th season of the league, in which he played 10 matches.
The Mumbai Indians have traded him for his current player salary of ₹2 crore (approximately $1.5 million).
Third time in IPL trade
Significantly, Shardul Thakur has been traded for the third time in IPL history. Earlier in 2017, Rising Pune Supergiant acquired him from Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). Then, ahead of the 2023 season, Kolkata Knight Riders acquired him from Delhi Capitals. Both deals were all-cash deals.
Summary
Joining Mumbai Indians is a homecoming of sorts for Thakur. He was a support bowler for Mumbai Indians from 2010-12. Shardul Thakur has played 105 matches in the IPL so far, taking 107 wickets at an economy rate of 9.40.
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