Shardul Thakur didn’t just change teams—he rewrote the rulebook. On November 13, 2025, the Shardul Thakur—a 33-year-old all-rounder from Maharajpur, Madhya Pradesh—was officially traded from the Lucknow Super Giants to the Mumbai Indians for exactly ₹2 crore, making him the first player in Indian Premier League (IPL) history to complete three all-cash franchise trades. The announcement, posted on Mumbai Indians’ official Twitter handle (@mipaltan), simply read: "𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐄 ⬅ 𝐈𝐍—" followed by "📲 𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐊𝐔𝐑 incoming 😍💙" and a photo link. But behind that tweet lies a career unlike any other in T20 cricket history.
A Trade Like No Other
Thakur’s journey through the IPL has been less a career path and more a revolving door of franchises—each move sealed with cold, hard cash. His first trade came in 2017, when he moved from Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) to Rising Pune Supergiants for ₹10 lakh. Then, in 2023, he pulled off a jaw-dropping switch from Delhi Capitals to Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹10.75 crore. Now, with this ₹2 crore deal to Mumbai, he’s the first—and likely only—player to ever do this three times. The Indian Premier League (IPL) confirmed the milestone in a statement released on November 16, 2025, calling it "an unprecedented chapter in franchise cricket."
What’s wild is that Thakur didn’t even get picked in the December 2024 mega auction. He was signed by Lucknow Super Giants as a last-minute injury replacement for left-arm spinner Mohsin Khan. In just 10 matches during IPL 2025, he either took 10 wickets (per NewsFirstPrime.com) or 13 wickets (per Crictoday.com), all at a staggering economy rate of 11.02. That’s not elite stats—but in a league where depth matters more than perfection, his experience, death-over bowling, and lower-order hitting made him a valuable asset. And now, he’s headed to a team that knows how to win.
Seven Teams, Two Titles
Thakur’s career reads like a who’s who of IPL franchises. He’s played for seven teams: Punjab Kings (2015–2017), Rising Pune Supergiants (2017), Chennai Super Kings (2018–2020, 2022–2023), Delhi Capitals (2021), Kolkata Knight Riders (2023), Lucknow Super Giants (2025), and now Mumbai Indians (2026). Across 105 matches, he’s taken 107 wickets and scored 325 runs. But more than the numbers, it’s the pressure he thrives in.
He was part of two Indian Premier League (IPL) title-winning squads with Chennai Super Kings: the 2018 final at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, and the 2021 final in Dubai. In both, he bowled crucial overs in the death. In 2018, he took 2 wickets in the final against Sunrisers Hyderabad. In 2021, he chipped in with a vital 19-ball 27 in the final against Kolkata Knight Riders. That’s why Mumbai Indians didn’t just buy a player—they bought clutch DNA.
Who Benefits? Who Loses?
Mumbai Indians, owned by IndiaWin Sports (a Reliance Industries subsidiary), are rebuilding after a rare playoff miss in 2025. Their pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult, needs a reliable third option. Thakur, with his slingy action and ability to bowl yorkers under pressure, fits perfectly. He’s also a handy lower-order hitter—something MI has lacked since Hardik Pandya’s departure.
For Lucknow Super Giants, the trade is a clean financial reset. They recouped their entire ₹2 crore investment with zero risk. Their strategy? Trade in-season signings for cash, then reinvest in auction picks. It’s smart. And with Thakur gone, they’ll likely target a young pacer or a finisher in the 2026 auction.
There’s a twist, though. Before the official announcement, Ravichandran Ashwin posted a video on social media revealing the trade had already been sealed. He later deleted that clip. Why? Probably because IPL trade rules are strict—teams aren’t allowed to leak deals before official confirmation. Ashwin’s slip-up shows how much buzz this trade generated before it even dropped.
What’s Next for Thakur—and the IPL?
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season is set to begin in March 2026, with matches across eight cities including Wankhede Stadium, Eden Gardens, and Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. Thakur will wear the blue jersey for the first time in his career, and fans are already calling him "Lord Thakur"—a nod to his knack for delivering when it matters most.
Analysts at ESPNcricinfo say this trade signals a shift: franchises are now treating players like flexible assets, not long-term investments. Thakur’s career is a blueprint for the future—athletes who move for opportunity, not loyalty. And with IPL’s new 10-team structure looming after 2026, more trades like this could become common.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just about one player changing teams. It’s about how the IPL is evolving. The league has moved beyond auctions and bidding wars. Now, it’s about strategic trades, financial flexibility, and player mobility. Thakur’s story isn’t about fame or records—it’s about survival in a hyper-competitive ecosystem. He’s not the biggest star, but he’s one of the smartest. And in a league where your next match could be your last, that’s the real win.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many IPL franchises has Shardul Thakur played for?
Shardul Thakur has played for seven IPL franchises: Punjab Kings, Rising Pune Supergiants, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, and now Mumbai Indians. He’s the only player in IPL history to represent seven different teams, and the only one to complete three all-cash trades.
Why is this trade historic?
Thakur is the first player in IPL history to be traded three times via direct cash deals between franchises. Previous trades involved auction drafts or player swaps. His 2017 (₹10 lakh), 2023 (₹10.75 crore), and 2025 (₹2 crore) deals were all pure cash transactions, setting a precedent that could reshape how franchises manage player mobility in future seasons.
What impact will Thakur have on Mumbai Indians’ 2026 campaign?
Mumbai Indians need depth in their pace attack and a reliable finisher. Thakur’s ability to bowl the 18th and 19th overs with control, plus his knack for hitting sixes in the final overs, makes him ideal. He’s also won two IPL titles—experience that could be crucial in high-stakes knockout matches, something MI lacked in 2025.
What’s the significance of the ₹2 crore price tag?
The ₹2 crore fee matches exactly what Lucknow Super Giants paid him in 2025 as an injury replacement. It’s a clean financial transaction—no profit, no loss—for LSG. For MI, it’s a low-risk acquisition of a proven IPL veteran. In a league where top players fetch ₹20 crore+, this is a bargain for someone with Thakur’s track record.
Did Ravichandran Ashwin really leak the trade?
Yes. Ashwin posted a social media video on November 12, 2025, confirming the trade before the official announcement. He deleted the clip within hours, likely to avoid breaching IPL’s strict confidentiality rules. The leak, though brief, sparked viral speculation and showed how intensely fans are tracking franchise movements beyond the auction.
Will more players follow Thakur’s path of multiple trades?
It’s likely. With IPL expanding to 10 teams by 2027 and franchise owners prioritizing flexibility, players who perform consistently but aren’t franchise cornerstones may become trade commodities. Thakur’s model—move for opportunity, not loyalty—could become the new norm, especially for utility players who adapt quickly across teams and conditions.
