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IPL 2026 Trades: Potential Player Swaps CSK And MI Could Carry Out Before Next Season

Debashis Sarangi

Several player trades could benefit MI and CSK [Source: IPLT20.com]Several player trades could benefit MI and CSK [Source: IPLT20.com]

Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have undoubtedly been the two most successful franchises in the history of the Indian Premier League. These two teams have shared a fierce rivalry, enthralling fans with several riveting contests, including finals. 

MI and CSK had a contrasting IPL 2025 season. While Hardik Pandya-led MI managed to enter qualifier 2, CSK failed to meet the fans' expectations, finishing at the bottom of the standings. 

However, both teams have a few glaring loopholes that can be addressed through mutual player exchanges in the IPL 2026 trade window, as mentioned below. 

Sam Curran - Mujeeb Ur Rahman

  • England all-rounder Sam Curran didn't have a great IPL 2025 season with Chennai Super Kings. The southpaw managed 114 runs while scalping a single wicket in the tournament. 
  • However, Curran is an experienced cricketer and gets the benefit of the doubt for not getting a consistent run for the Super Kings. He was dropped multiple times, showcasing CSK's lack of clarity in assigning him a particular role during the competition. 
  • As Curran doesn't seem to be in CSK's plans, the five-time champions might consider trading him to another team in exchange for a player who can meet their needs. 
  • If the CSK management decides to get rid of Curran, the Mumbai Indians might emerge as one of the teams interested in the English star. MI don't have a reputed pace-bowling all-rounder apart from Hardik Pandya, and therefore, Curran can be a perfect fit in their setup. 
  • On the other hand, CSK could ask MI to swap Curran with Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who mostly warmed the bench in IPL 2025. Mujeeb is a potent spinner, and CSK could show interest in roping him into their squad and form a ruthless trio with Ravindra Jadeja and Noor Ahmad. 

Shivam Dube - Tilak Varma

  • Chennai Super Kings' swashbuckling batter Shivam Dube had an ordinary season in IPL 2025. His prowess as a finisher was questioned, as his strike rate witnessed a significant dip, getting reduced from 162.30 to 132.22. 
  • The same can be said for Tilak Varma, who looked lacklustre on multiple occasions as MI altered his entry points. If the five-time champions decide to retain English all-rounder Will Jacks and give him a consistent run at three, Shivam Dube could be an ideal man to replace Tilak as a lower-middle-order batter and assist Suryakumar, Hardik Pandya and Naman Dhir in finishing the innings. 
  • On the other hand, Tilak's inclusion in CSK will only strengthen their top order, which remained unsettled despite plenty of experiments in the IPL 2025. The young batter from Hyderabad can form a formidable batting core along with the explosive trio of Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel and Dewald Brevis. 
  • Thus, such a trade has the potential to benefit both teams, and hence it won't be a surprise if they formally execute it. 

Nathan Ellis: All-cash trade

  • Chennai Super Kings mostly kept Nathan Ellis as a reserve pacer throughout the 2025 season. They preferred Matheesha Pathirana as their middle and death overs specialist, with Khaleel Ahmed operating with the new ball. 
  • The fast bowler holds immense value as a third seamer and might grab the attention of Mumbai Indians, who could approach CSK for a potential all-cash trade. With Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar playing as new-ball specialists and Jasprit Bumrah retaining his place as an all-phase bowler, the addition of Ellis to their squad will help MI form an invincible pace battery.