Amid ongoing reports of a possible trade involving Sanju Samson and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has dropped a bombshell, revealing that Lusknow Super Giants (LSG) all-rounder Shardul Thakur has been traded to Mumbai Indians (MI).Ashwin made the statement on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’, adding another development to the pre-auction conversations, especially with reports that CSK are considering a trade involving Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran in exchange for Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals (RR).
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.” Watch videoThe video clip has since been removed from his channel, but it is being widely shared on social media.Shardul Thakur went unsold in last year’s IPL auction in Jeddah but later joined Lucknow Super Giants as a replacement for Mohsin Khan. He took 13 wickets in 10 matches in IPL 2025, including a four-wicket haul, and finished with an economy of 11.02.If the trade is confirmed, Mumbai Indians will become the seventh IPL franchise Shardul has represented. He has previously played for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, and Chennai Super Kings, where he had a five-year stint.The auction for the next season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to be held between December 15-16.
