Mumbai Indians executed a calculated roster restructuring on November 15, 2025, trading left-arm pacer Arjun Tendulkar to Lucknow Super Giants while simultaneously reacquiring leg-spinner Mayank Markande from Kolkata Knight Riders. Both transactions, valued at Rs 30 lakh each, reflect the five-time IPL champions’ strategic pivot toward strengthening their spin bowling department while providing Arjun greater playing opportunities elsewhere. These moves, finalized hours before the retention deadline, cap Tendulkar’s four-year association with Mumbai Indians and mark Markande’s third stint with the franchise where he won the 2019 IPL title.
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The Double Trade: Strategic Moves by Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians’ simultaneous player movement demonstrates sophisticated roster management. Rather than simply releasing Arjun Tendulkar, the franchise facilitated a trade that allows the young left-armer to pursue regular playing time at LSG while addressing their own squad needs. Similarly, reacquiring Mayank Markande fills an immediate gap in MI’s spin bowling arsenal following limited options in recent seasons.
Trade Details Breakdown
| Player | Movement | Fee | Previous Franchise | Career Phase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arjun Tendulkar | MI → LSG | Rs 30 lakh | Mumbai Indians (2021-2025) | Seeking regular opportunities |
| Mayank Markande | KKR → MI | Rs 30 lakh | Kolkata Knight Riders (2025) | Returning to former team |
Both deals represent minimal financial commitments—Rs 30 lakh sits at the lower end of IPL contracts—but carry significant implications for player development and squad composition. For Mumbai Indians, these trades cost nothing in net expenditure while potentially improving their competitive balance.
Arjun Tendulkar’s Mumbai Indians Journey Comes to an End
Arjun Tendulkar’s departure from Mumbai Indians marks the conclusion of an association that began with immense expectations but limited playing opportunities. The franchise first acquired him in the IPL 2021 mini-auction for Rs 20 lakh, though he spent that season on the bench without featuring in a single match. Mumbai Indians showed continued faith by repurchasing him for Rs 30 lakh at the IPL 2022 mega-auction.
His long-awaited IPL debut finally arrived in 2023, when Arjun took three wickets across four appearances. This modest success offered hope that he could develop into a valuable asset. However, the 2024 season brought fresh challenges. Hardik Pandya’s appointment as captain replacing Rohit Sharma coincided with Arjun’s reduced opportunities—he appeared in just one match that year.
Arjun Tendulkar’s IPL Statistics
| Season | Franchise | Matches | Wickets | Economy Rate | Auction Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Mumbai Indians | 0 | 0 | N/A | Rs 20 lakh |
| 2022 | Mumbai Indians | 0 | 0 | N/A | Rs 30 lakh |
| 2023 | Mumbai Indians | 4 | 3 | 9.36 | Retained |
| 2024 | Mumbai Indians | 1 | 0 | 12.00 | Retained |
| 2025 | Mumbai Indians | 0 | 0 | N/A | Rs 30 lakh |
The IPL 2025 mega-auction presented another setback when Arjun went unsold in the initial rounds. Mumbai Indians ultimately reacquired him at his base price of Rs 30 lakh during the accelerated round, demonstrating their loyalty despite his limited impact. However, he didn’t feature in a single match during the 2025 season, spending the entire campaign on the bench.
Across five IPL appearances over three seasons, Arjun Tendulkar claimed three wickets at an economy rate of 9.36. While these numbers don’t reflect sustained success, they also represent extremely limited sample size—hardly enough match time to truly evaluate his potential at the highest level.
Mumbai Indians acknowledged this reality in their farewell statement: “Thank you, Arjun for being a valued member of the Mumbai Indians family. Everyone at MI wishes you the very best for the next chapter of your journey with Lucknow Super Giants. We are proud to have been a part of your development and look forward to seeing you continue to excel in the years ahead.”
Why LSG Targeted Arjun Tendulkar
Lucknow Super Giants’ interest in Arjun Tendulkar addresses a specific squad need: left-arm pace bowling options. The franchise has struggled with pace bowling depth, particularly with injury concerns surrounding Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, and Mohsin Khan. Adding a left-arm quick provides tactical variety and a different angle of attack.
For Arjun, the LSG move represents a fresh start with potentially greater playing opportunities. At Mumbai Indians, he faced fierce competition from established seamers and rarely broke into the playing XI. LSG’s rebuilding phase under new captain Rishabh Pant offers more fluid squad dynamics where younger players might receive extended opportunities to prove themselves.
The reunion with Mohammed Shami—also traded to LSG on the same day for Rs 10 crore—adds another dimension. Playing alongside experienced campaigners like Shami could accelerate Arjun’s development. The veteran pacer’s mentorship and work ethic might provide exactly the environment Arjun needs to fulfill his potential.
Playing at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow could also suit Arjun’s bowling style. The venue typically offers pace and bounce, conditions that favor seam bowlers. This contrasts with Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where pitches often assist spinners more than fast bowlers.
Mayank Markande’s Homecoming to Mumbai Indians
While Arjun Tendulkar departs, Mayank Markande returns to where his IPL journey began. The 28-year-old leg-spinner first represented Mumbai Indians in 2018, immediately making an impact with his variations and control. That debut season saw him play 14 matches and claim 15 wickets at an average of 24.53, with best figures of 4-23.
Markande’s contributions helped Mumbai Indians win the 2019 IPL title, cementing his place in franchise history. He remained with MI through 2022 before moving to Rajasthan Royals in 2021, then Sunrisers Hyderabad for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Kolkata Knight Riders acquired him for Rs 30 lakh in 2025, but he didn’t feature in a single match—spending the entire season on the bench.
Mayank Markande’s IPL Career Overview
| Years | Franchise | Matches | Wickets | Average | Best Figures | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018, 2019, 2022 | Mumbai Indians | 23 | 23 | 28.17 | 4-23 | Won 2019 IPL title |
| 2021 | Rajasthan Royals | 5 | 3 | 56.00 | 2-30 | Limited opportunities |
| 2023, 2024 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 9 | 11 | 31.45 | 3-34 | Sporadic appearances |
| 2025 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | No matches played |
| Career Total | 5 franchises | 37 | 37 | 30.51 | 4-23 | One wicket per match |
Across 37 IPL matches for five different franchises, Markande has taken exactly 37 wickets—a curious statistical coincidence that averages precisely one wicket per appearance. His overall average of 30.51 suggests room for improvement, but his 2018 debut season demonstrated the quality he possesses when given consistent opportunities.
Mumbai Indians’ decision to reacquire Markande addresses their spin bowling paucity. The franchise has struggled to find reliable leg-spin options in recent seasons, often relying on overseas spinners or experimenting with various domestic talents. Markande’s previous success in MI colors and his experience across multiple franchises makes him a low-risk acquisition who knows the system and can contribute immediately.
Strategic Implications for Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2026 Campaign
These trades reveal Mumbai Indians’ broader strategy heading into IPL 2026. By releasing Arjun Tendulkar—a player who consumed a roster spot without regular contributions—MI creates flexibility for the December 16 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi. The Rs 30 lakh saved is minimal, but the squad position allows them to target specific needs through the auction.
Mayank Markande’s return strengthens their spin bowling department without major financial outlay. His familiarity with Wankhede Stadium conditions and understanding of MI’s team culture eliminates adjustment periods. If Markande rediscovers his 2018 form, Mumbai Indians gain a valuable wicket-taking option in the middle overs—precisely where they’ve struggled in recent seasons.
The franchise also made two other significant trades on the same deadline day: acquiring Shardul Thakur from LSG for Rs 2 crore and Sherfane Rutherford from Gujarat Titans for Rs 2.60 crore. These moves demonstrate aggressive squad rebuilding following disappointing 2025 season where MI finished outside playoff contention.
What This Means for LSG’s Squad Composition
For Lucknow Super Giants, acquiring Arjun Tendulkar and Mohammed Shami in separate trades signals intent to rebuild their pace attack. The franchise struggled with bowling consistency in 2025, and these additions—one experienced, one developmental—provide different dimensions to their attack.
LSG’s pace bowling roster for IPL 2026 now includes:
- Mohammed Shami (Rs 10 crore) – Experienced new-ball specialist
- Arjun Tendulkar (Rs 30 lakh) – Left-arm variation
- Avesh Khan – If fit, provides express pace
- Mayank Yadav – Raw speed (injury concerns)
- Mohsin Khan – Left-arm option (rehabilitation)
- Prince Yadav – Developing talent
This combination blends experience, variety, and youth—exactly the formula successful IPL teams employ. Arjun slots into a developmental role where performance pressure might be lower than at Mumbai Indians, potentially allowing his natural abilities to flourish without overwhelming expectations.
The Broader Trade Window Context
Arjun Tendulkar and Mayank Markande’s movements occurred on one of the busiest retention deadline days in IPL history. November 15, 2025, witnessed nine confirmed trades reshaping multiple franchises:
- Ravindra Jadeja (CSK → RR) – Rs 14 crore
- Sanju Samson (RR → CSK) – Rs 18 crore
- Sam Curran (CSK → RR) – Rs 2.4 crore
- Mohammed Shami (SRH → LSG) – Rs 10 crore
- Arjun Tendulkar (MI → LSG) – Rs 30 lakh
- Mayank Markande (KKR → MI) – Rs 30 lakh
- Nitish Rana (RR → DC) – Rs 4.2 crore
- Donovan Ferreira (DC → RR) – Rs 1 crore
- Shardul Thakur (LSG → MI) – Rs 2 crore
These transactions demonstrate how franchises leverage the trade window to address specific needs without exhausting auction budgets. The December 16 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi will test whether these strategic moves translate into improved team performance.
Looking Ahead: IPL 2026 Mini-Auction
Mumbai Indians enter the mini-auction with clear objectives: strengthen middle-order batting and add quality all-round options. Their recent trades indicate willingness to be aggressive in reshaping the squad following disappointing recent seasons. The five-time champions haven’t won the title since 2020, creating urgency around personnel decisions.
For LSG under Rishabh Pant’s captaincy, the auction represents an opportunity to build a cohesive unit around their new acquisitions. The franchise must balance experienced performers with emerging talents, creating squad depth across all departments.
The mini-auction format—completed in a single day unlike multi-day mega-auctions—requires precise strategy execution. Teams must identify targets, set maximum bids, and react quickly to market dynamics. Pre-auction trades like the Arjun Tendulkar-Mayank Markande swap allow franchises to address known needs, freeing auction resources for opportunistic bids.
FAQs
Why did Mumbai Indians trade Arjun Tendulkar?
Mumbai Indians traded Arjun Tendulkar to LSG to provide him greater playing opportunities after limited chances in four years (5 total matches). The move also allows MI to strengthen their spin department by reacquiring Mayank Markande from KKR.
How much did LSG pay for Arjun Tendulkar?
Lucknow Super Giants acquired Arjun Tendulkar at his existing fee of Rs 30 lakh through a trade with Mumbai Indians. This represents his base auction price from multiple IPL seasons.
What is Mayank Markande’s history with Mumbai Indians?
Mayank Markande played for Mumbai Indians in 2018, 2019, and 2022, taking 23 wickets in 23 matches. He was part of MI’s 2019 IPL championship team. His best season was 2018 with 15 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 24.53.
When does the IPL 2026 mini-auction take place?
The IPL 2026 mini-auction is scheduled for December 16, 2025, in Abu Dhabi. Unlike mega auctions, this will be a single-day event with limited player availability as franchises primarily trade and retain existing squad members.
How many IPL matches has Arjun Tendulkar played?
Arjun Tendulkar has played 5 IPL matches across three seasons (2023-2025) for Mumbai Indians, claiming 3 wickets at an economy rate of 9.36. He spent 2021, 2022, and 2025 on the bench without featuring in any matches.