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Shardul, Rutherford in; Predicting MI's likely releases based on latest IPL trade move

Debashis Sarangi

MI signed Thakur and Rutherford via IPL trade [Source: AFP]MI signed Thakur and Rutherford via IPL trade [Source: AFP]

On Thursday, five-time champions Mumbai Indians strengthened their IPL squad by drafting Shardul Thakur and Sherfane Rutherford into the team. While Thakur was traded from LSG to MI, Rutherford shifted his base from Gujarat Titans at a price of INR 2.6 Crores. 

Thakur and Rutherford's additions fill two significant slots in the Mumbai Indians' first-choice XI. The Indian bowling allrounder is expected to assist Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult and Hardik Pandya, while also playing a crucial role with the bat alongside Mitchell Santner in the lower middle order. Meanwhile, MI addressed the lack of a genuine power-hitter by adding Rutherford to their finishing department, also comprising Hardik Pandya and Naman Dhir. 

Considering the potential impact of these two players, Thakur and Rutherford's signing is definitely a smart strategic move by the Mumbai Indians. However, these two additions might shut the door for some existing MI players, leading to their release to the auction pool. 

Deepak Chahar: A likely name to be snubbed after Thakur's joining

Factors that could lead to Chahar's release after Shardul Thakur trade

Similar role: Shardul Thakur is a bowling allrounder, having proved his mettle for six different IPL franchises prior to his MI joining. Besides chipping in with crucial breakthroughs in the middle and death overs, Thakur can also be handy with his cameos in the lower order. He belongs to the same category as Deepak Chahar, who we feel might be released after his joining. 

A better option as third seamer: Deepak Chahar is generally effective with the new ball, while Thakur can bowl across all three phases. In IPL 2025, Chahar bowled 33 out of 41 overs in the powerplay, while Thakur delivered 18 out of 34 overs in the 7-20 overs phase. With Trent Boult, Bumrah and Pandya offering MI more potent options in the powerplay, Thakur perfectly fits the bill as an assistant seam-bowling option, convincingly outplaying Chahar. 

High budget: Shardul Thakur has joined MI for only 2 Crores, while the five-time champions spent a whopping amount of INR 9.25 crores to sign Chahar in the 2025 mega auction. So, Thakur's IPL trade gives MI a golden opportunity to get rid of Chahar, whose one-dimensional bowling and proneness to injury hindered their progress in the 2025 season. 

Will Jacks: Frontrunner to be excluded from MI retention list after Rutherford's signing

Factors that could lead to Will Jacks' release after Sherfane Rutherford trade

Failure in IPL 2025: Will Jacks was one of the most underwhelming performers for MI in the IPL 2025. The English allrounder could score 233 runs at a modest average of 23.30 and a sub-par strike rate of 135.47. So, as Rutherford, who slammed 291 runs at a much better average of 32.33 and a strike rate of 157.30, has joined to bolster their middle order, MI might decide to release Jacks and free up a substantial amount of INR 5.25 crores. 

No role clarity: Although MI's owner Akash Ambani seemed overwhelmed after securing Will Jacks in the 2025 mega auction, they found it quite challenging to fit him in their batting order. The Will Jacks experiment at three proved detrimental to MI's success, as it hampered Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav's entry points in the tournament. So, after adding a genuine finisher like Rutherford to their team, MI could opt to release Jacks and ensure Tilak and Surya's comeback at their preferred batting slots in the IPL 2026. 

Conclusion

Thus, Chahar and Will Jacks are the two likely names who could make room for Thakur and Rutherford in the MI setup. If the five-time champions release these two players, a significant amount of INR 9.9 crores will be added to their purse for the mini auction.