Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have bolstered their squad with strategic all-cash trades for Arjun Tendulkar from Mumbai Indians (MI) and Mohammed Shami from Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), announced on November 15, 2025. In a related move, Delhi Capitals (DC) acquired middle-order batter Nitish Rana from Rajasthan Royals (RR) in exchange for Donovan Ferreira, reshaping lineups ahead of the IPL 2026 retention deadline.
These trades, confirmed by the BCCI, mark LSG’s push for bowling depth and RR’s third major shuffle in the window, following swaps involving Sanju Samson, Ravindra Jadeja, and Sam Curran.
LSG’s Double Bowling Boost: Tendulkar and Shami In
LSG targeted pace reinforcements after a middling 2025 campaign. Tendulkar, the 26-year-old left-arm pacer and Sachin Tendulkar’s son, joins for his existing INR 30 lakh fee. Picked by MI at the 2021 auction, he debuted in 2023, playing five matches and claiming three wickets at an economy of 9.75. “Bowling all-rounder Arjun Tendulkar will represent Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) following a successful transfer from Mumbai Indians,” the IPL statement read.
Shami, the 35-year-old veteran, moves for his INR 10 crore price tag after a fitness-plagued 2025 with SRH (9 matches, 6 wickets at 10.22 economy). Acquired as SRH’s second-costliest buy, he struggled post-injury but brings proven T20 nous (192 IPL wickets). LSG teased the deal on X, hinting at a pace overhaul under coach Gautam Gambhir.
In return, MI reacquired spinner Mayank Markande from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for INR 30 lakh, adding spin variety to their attack.
DC-RR Swap: Rana’s Middle-Order Firepower for Ferreira’s Utility
DC landed Nitish Rana for INR 4.2 crore after his 2025 stint with RR (217 runs in 11 matches at 124.57 strike rate). A two-time IPL champion with KKR (2014) and MI (2019), the 32-year-old left-hander addresses DC’s batting voids post-2025 playoffs miss.
RR receives Donovan Ferreira, the South African all-rounder, with his fee revised upward to INR 1 crore from DC’s INR 75 lakh auction buy in 2025. The 28-year-old, who played sparingly last season, adds overseas balance to RR’s squad amid their busy window.
| Player | From | To | Fee (INR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arjun Tendulkar | MI | LSG | 30 lakh | All-cash; IPL debut 2023 |
| Mohammed Shami | SRH | LSG | 10 crore | All-cash; 6 wickets in 2025 |
| Nitish Rana | RR | DC | 4.2 crore | Trade for Ferreira |
| Donovan Ferreira | DC | RR | 1 crore (revised) | Utility all-rounder |
| Mayank Markande | KKR | MI | 30 lakh | Spin return to MI |
These moves, part of eight confirmed trades by deadline, set the stage for the IPL 2026 mega-auction in December. LSG eyes a top-four finish with pace upgrades, while DC and RR fine-tune for playoffs contention.
