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IPL 2026 mini auction features major trades including Sanju Samson, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Sherfane Rutherford, Arjun Tendulkar and Mohammed Shami.
CSK set to sign Sanju Samson from RR in a trade deal involving Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)
The IPL 2026 mini auction guarantees a whole lot of motion, with the trade market uproar, due to multiple big-ticket transfers. Before entering the auction to plug gaps of their teams, multiple franchises may look to resolve problems through trade deals, either by swapping cricketers or finalising all-cash agreements.
In past seasons, multiple big names, including Hardik Pandya, Robin Uthappa and Cameron Green, have switched franchises through trade deals, with the previous’s move from the Gujarat Titans to the Mumbai Indians standing out as probably the most notable.
Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja
One in all the foremost moves ahead of IPL 2026 is the swap involving Samson and Jadeja. After rumours linking the previous to the Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals faded, reports now indicate that his move to Chennai Super Kings is all but finalised.
Reports suggest that the Rajasthan Royals will receive Sam Curran as a part of the trade as well, making it one of the significant player exchanges in IPL history.
Nevertheless, despite all parties reaching an agreement, the deal stays on hold due to technicalities. RR have exhausted their overseas slots and can need to create space within the team to accommodate Curran.
Shardul Thakur
The star Indian all-rounder is the primary official trade ahead of the IPL 2026 mini auction. Thakur was signed by the Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 2 crore as an injury alternative for the 18th edition of the IPL, featuring in 10 games.
A proven utility player known for his clutch performances, Thakur has now been traded to the Mumbai Indians for his existing fee of Rs 2 crore.
Sherfane Rutherford
An hour after Thakur’s announcement, the Mumbai Indians said that they’ve also traded in Windies batter Sherfane Rutherford from the Gujarat Titans.
Rutherford has featured in 44 T20Is for the Windies and holds the record for the best sixth-wicket stand in T20Is, having stitched together a 139-run partnership with Andre Russell against Australia in Perth.
Arjun Tendulkar
As per reports, MI and LSG have finalised a separate trade deal involving Arjun Tendulkar, who has been with MI since IPL 2023. Tendulkar, purchased by MI for Rs 30 lakh last yr, has been traded to LSG.
MI released him to supply the young all-rounder with more playing probabilities, in line with reports.
Mohammed Shami
Shami, the seasoned spearhead of India’s bowling attack with a 12-year international profession spanning 64 Tests, 108 ODIs, and 25 T20Is, has drawn strong interest from each the Lucknow Super Giants and the Delhi Capitals.
The extent of DC’s interest in Shami is clear from Sourav Ganguly’s recent remarks concerning the veteran pacer.
“I’m sure the selectors are watching and there may be communication between Mohammad Shami and the selectors. But should you ask me, when it comes to fitness and skill, it’s the Mohammad Shami we all know of,” Ganguly recently said.
November 13, 2025, 23:26 IST
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