West Indies' power-hitter traded from Gujarat Titans to Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2026 retention deadline

In yet another trade ahead of the IPL 2026 retention deadline, West Indies' hard-hitting batter Sherfane Rutherford has been traded to the Mumbai Indians, shifting his base from the Gujarat Titans. The development was confirmed on Thursday, November 13, and Rutherford will join the five-time winners at his existing fee of ₹2.6 crore.

A regular fixture in the West Indies' T20I side, the 27-year-old has mustered 588 runs in 44 matches since his debut in the format in December 2018 against Bangladesh. The youngster has a decent strike rate of 137.38. Rutherford was notably involved in a record partnership of 139 for the sixth wicket during a T20I last year against Australia in Perth.

Having featured in 23 IPL matches, the left-handed batter was part of the Delhi Capitals in 2019 and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2022. The West Indian was also in the Mumbai Indians' squad in 2020 and the Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) squad in 2024 but didn't get a game in those seasons. Rutherford played 13 games for the Titans in the 2025 edition, mustering 291 runs at a healthy strike rate of 157.29.

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Shardul Thakur was traded to the Mumbai Indians earlier

Shardul Thakur. (Image Credits: Getty)

Earlier in the day, the trade of Shardul Thakur from the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) was also confirmed at a price of ₹2 crore. The five-time champions are likely to retain the likes of Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah, among others. With Rutherford and Shardul in their ranks, the Mumbai-based franchise are likely to only get stronger.

Led by Pandya, the Mumbai Indians reached the playoffs in 2025, a marked improvement from the previous edition when they finished at the bottom of the points table. Their campaign ended after eventual runners-up Punjab Kings triumphed over them in Qualiifier 2 this year.

Nevertheless, Punjab lost to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the final as the latter sealed their first crown. The mini auction for 2026 is likely to take place in mid-December.