Arjun Tendulkar joins LSG as MI trades him before the IPL 2026 auction, while Mayank Markande returns to MI. [Photo: X/CricTracker]
Arjun Tendulkar will play for a new franchise in IPL 2026. On retention deadline day, the Mumbai Indians traded the left-arm pacer to the Lucknow Super Giants in a pre-auction move. In return, MI strengthened their spin department by bringing back leg-spinner Mayank Markande from the Kolkata Knight Riders. Both trades were part of a major reshuffle ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction.
Arjun Tendulkar’s journey with MI has officially ended. The franchise first bought him for ₹20 lakh in the IPL 2021 mini-auction, but he did not play that season. MI picked him again for ₹30 lakh during the 2022 mega-auction. Arjun finally made his IPL debut in 2023 and finished with three wickets from four matches.
In IPL 2024, under new captain Hardik Pandya, Arjun played only one game. In the IPL 2025 mega-auction, he initially went unsold but returned to MI at his base price of ₹30 lakh in the accelerated round. He did not play a single match in 2025.
Arjun now gets a fresh opportunity with LSG. The franchise aims to develop him as a left-arm pace option with long-term potential. His ability to swing the ball early and bowl in the powerplay fits LSG’s plans to build a balanced pace unit. A new setup could offer Arjun more consistent chances—something he struggled to get at MI.
MI strengthened their spin attack by securing Mayank Markande from KKR. They acquired him for ₹30 lakh—the same price KKR paid in 2025. Markande began his IPL career with MI and delivered a standout season in 2018, taking 15 wickets in 14 matches.
He has 37 wickets from 37 IPL games overall. Markande also represented the Rajasthan Royals in 2021 and the Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2023 and 2024. MI hopes his familiarity with the team’s system will boost their spin depth for IPL 2026.
The latest trades show a clear shift in franchise strategy. Teams are prioritising role-based specialists over big-name signings. LSG gains a left-arm powerplay bowler in Arjun, while MI shores up their spin options with Markande.
This trend reflects a broader reset ahead of IPL 2026, with franchises targeting balance, flexibility, and depth rather than headline purchases.
