Mumbai, December 8, 2025 – Indian seam-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur is set to reunite with veteran opener Rohit Sharma in the Mumbai Indians (MI) camp for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Thakur, who was recently signed by MI, expressed his excitement about joining Sharma, emphasizing the comfort and encouragement he received from the senior player in the past.
Thakur was traded to Mumbai Indians from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) prior to the retentions. He previously played for MI as a support bowler in 2010. Speaking about the reunion, Thakur said, "Abhi aur pata chalega jab sath me baithenge toh. Kaafi masti hogi," which translates to "We will get to know more when we sit together. It will be fun". This statement reflects his anticipation and positive outlook on joining the MI squad and working alongside Rohit Sharma once again.
Rohit Sharma has been a mainstay of the Mumbai Indians, and was retained by the team along with Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Tilak Varma ahead of the upcoming IPL auction. Despite a disappointing 2024 season, Sharma remains optimistic about the franchise's future and its ability to build a strong team for the 2025 edition. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a core group of players and expressed confidence in the team's ability to turn things around.
Sharma, who retired from international T20s, views staying with Mumbai Indians as an ideal fit. He noted the franchise's rich history of winning trophies and its ability to emerge victorious from challenging situations.
The Mumbai Indians have been actively bolstering their squad with promising talent from around the globe. This includes players such as South Africa's Gerald Coetzee, England's Luke Wood, Sri Lanka's Nuwan Thushara, West Indies' Romario Shepherd, and Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi. The team also added U-19 World Cup star Kwena Maphaka and Indian talent Shreyas Gopal to add depth to the squad.
Former MI skipper Rohit Sharma has expressed optimism about the infusion of new faces into the squad, and hopes they will make an immediate impact.
The Mumbai Indians are gearing up for the new season with a blend of fresh and experienced talent. With the return of Shardul Thakur and the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the team aims to reclaim its position as a dominant force in the IPL.
