Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur has officially joined Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. Both Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and MI have completed the formal process of Shardul's trade by filing an expression of interested with the governing council of the Indian Premier League. He has been acquired for his IPL 2025 base price of INR 2 crore.

MI reached an in-principle agreement with LSG to acquire Thakur through an all-cash trade deal. This marks the third trade involving Thakur in IPL history. Back in 2017, Rising Pune Supergiant bought him from Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), and before the 2023 season, Kolkata Knight Riders procured him from Delhi Capitals, both transactions also being all-cash deals.

Thakur, who went unsold at the 2025 mega auction, was later picked up by LSG as a replacement for Mohsin Khan at his base price of INR 2 crore. Initially, the move seemed promising, as he claimed six wickets in his first two matches of IPL 2025. However, his form dipped as the season progressed, as he managed 13 wickets in 10 matches with an economy rate of 11.02.

Thakur isn't absolutely new to the Mumbai set-up.

Although he hasn't represented the franchise in the cash-rich tournament, he was with the side between 2010 and 2012 as a support bowler. Recently, he was also made the captain of Mumbai's domestic side ahead of the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season. It will be exciting to see how Shardul performs for the franchise that represents his home.

Earlier, former Indian cricketer R Ashwin inadvertently revealed details of a potential trade involving Thakur and Deepak Chahar, suggesting MI had brought in Thakur in exchange for Chahar, who has struggled with recurring injuries. However, no such development involving the Rajasthan pacer has surfaced on the floors yet.

Another media report had previously claimed that Shardul coming into the MI set-up would also mean the ongoing of pace-bowling all-rounder Arjun Tendulkar from their set-up. However, the development seems to be still in talks, as nothing has been confirmed yet by any of the franchises.