Former India and KKR batter Aakash Chopra stated that the Mumbai Indians (MI) have not acquired all-rounder Shardul Thakur as a replacement option for Deepak Chahar in IPL 2026 as well. According to Chopra, Thakur has come as a complement to Chahar in the MI camp. However, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) traded Thakur to MI for his existing player fee of ₹2 crore. He was picked by the Lucknow franchise for IPL 2025 as an injury replacement for Moshin Khan as well.

He said on his YouTube channel: “Shardul Thakur is a good option for MI. He comes from Mumbai, plays domestic cricket for them and knows the [Wankhede Stadium] very well. MI need a swing bowler, so Thakur is a good option that way.”That also starts a speculation as to whether you want to let go Deepak Chahar. Are you looking to release Chahar to buy him back? Are you thinking of something else? These questions come to mind. I feel Thakur has not come in as a replacement for Chahar. He is possibly going to play with Chahar. Let’s see what Mumbai does.”

Apart from Shardul Thakur, MI have also acquired West Indies batter Sherfane Rutherford following a trade deal with the Gujarat Titans
(GT) as well. Rutherford has been traded for his fee of ₹2.6 crore as well.

“Sherfane Rutherford is a big acquisition. Leaving aside his recent form, he is a good player. He has his issues with wide yorkers, but Mumbai was looking for a lower order batter. Getting a lower order batter for such a price outside of the auction should make you happy. Mumbai Indians have cracked it when it comes to value trades,” Aakash Chopra concluded.