Mumbai Indians Sign Rutherford And Thakur For IPL 2026 Season

Mumbai Indians have signed West Indies all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford from Gujarat Titans for the IPL 2026 season. Rutherford joins at his existing fee of INR 2.6 crore, bringing depth to MI’s middle order and bowling options. This move follows MI’s acquisition of Shardul Thakur from Lucknow Super Giants, strengthening both batting and bowling for the upcoming season.

The 27-year-old Rutherford has played 44 T20Is for the West Indies and is known for his record sixth-wicket partnership of 139 runs with Andre Russell against Australia in Perth. In the IPL, he has featured in 23 matches for Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Kolkata Knight Riders. Rutherford was also part of the MI squad in 2020 but did not play in any matches that season.

In his IPL career so far, Rutherford has scored 397 runs at an average of 24.81 and a strike rate of 137.37, hitting 25 fours and 26 sixes. His top score remains 46, as he has not yet scored a half-century. In the 2025 season, he improved significantly, scoring 291 runs in 13 matches at an average of 32.33 and a strike rate of 157.30, striking 22 fours and 18 sixes. His aggressive batting and ability to finish games make him a key addition to MI’s squad.

LSG all-rounder Shardul Thakur has been traded to Mumbai Indians for his existing fee of INR 2 crore. Thakur joined LSG as an injury replacement in IPL 2025 and played 10 matches. Known for his versatility, Thakur has delivered clutch performances for multiple franchises and can contribute both with the ball and the bat, making him a valuable utility player for MI in the upcoming season.

With Rutherford and Thakur on board, Mumbai Indians aim to strengthen their batting depth and bowling attack. Coach Mark Boucher will have greater flexibility in choosing combinations and adjusting strategies depending on match situations. These signings are expected to give MI a balanced team capable of competing strongly in IPL 2026.

Mumbai Indians are one of the most successful IPL teams, having won the tournament five times, tying with Chennai Super Kings for the most titles. However, they have not won the IPL since 2020. Last season, MI reached Qualifier 2 but lost to Punjab Kings by five wickets. These new acquisitions reflect MI’s ambition to return to winning ways and challenge for the IPL 2026 title.

The addition of Sherfane Rutherford and Shardul Thakur provides Mumbai Indians with more options in the middle order, finishing capabilities, and bowling depth. Fans and experts will be watching closely to see how these signings impact MI’s performance in the highly competitive IPL 2026 season.