Former Indian captain Kris Srikkanth believes veteran pacer Shardul Thakur is fortunate to make his way to another franchise through the IPL trading market after the 2026 retention deadline. After going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, the 34-year-old became a replacement player for the injured Mohsin Khan in the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).However, after just one season with the franchise, Thakur has been traded to the Mumbai Indians (MI) for his existing price of ₹ 2 crore. It will make it a seventh franchise for the experienced seamer in his decade-long IPL career.Talking about the Shardul Thakur trade to MI on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said (12:15):"He has played for nearly every franchise and will say he still wants to play for India. What team hasn't he played for? He bowled well in only one match last season vs SRH. Maybe Mumbai being his home ground will suit him. But he's such a lucky cricketer. Somewhere someone takes him always. They are trading for him, not even trying to get him in the auction. He's the most traded cricketer in India."Srikkanth continued:"He's always on the trading market, moving from one team to the other. He has only two more teams I think to complete the full cycle. It's not just every three years with him but every year or every alternate year. If you ask, they'll say he's an all-rounder. Yet, the captain himself fears giving the ball to him. Anyway if he does perform, I am happy for MI and him."Thakur started strongly in IPL 2025 before fading away, finishing with mediocre figures of 13 wickets at an economy rate of over 11 in 10 matches."He has been picked more as a backup" - Kris Srikkanth on MI trading for Sherfane RutherfordKris Srikkanth believes MI have added West Indian batter Sherfane Rutherford more as a back-up option in the trade with the Gujarat Titans (GT). The five-time champions traded for the middle-order bat at his existing price of ₹2.6 crore."He has been picked more as a backup. It's mainly if any overseas player like Will Jacks doesn't perform well. But he's ( Rutherford) a very hit and miss cricketer. He didn't have a good last season as well," said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).Srikkanth expressed surprise at MI releasing young spinner Vignesh Puthur after just one season."I thought they'll retain Vignesh Puthur. He did pretty well last season and they developed him well. He had some injury issues and was out of the tournament completely. That boy is a good bowler so I am surprised they released him," he stated.Yet, the former opener believes MI are already a formidable side, with the spin-bowling department being their lone area of concern."But they are also a gun side with bat and ball. Yet they'll have to take care of their spin-bowling department. That's where they continue to struggle. They have only one spinner in Santner. They need one more bonafide spinner. I was surprised they did not win last season even though they qualified. They have an amazing top order with great team balance. Like RCB, they are one of the most balanced sides," said Srikkanth.MI made an incredible run in the second half of the IPL 2025 season to qualify for the playoffs. However, they were ousted by the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 2.