Mumbai: Wicketkeeper-batter Siddhant Addhatrao and all-rounder Arjun Tendulkar have received the green light to enter the auction pool for the T20 Mumbai League, despite representing Pondicherry and Goa, respectively, in the recently concluded domestic season.
Auction Details and Base Price
The auction for the league is scheduled for May 2. Both players, being Ranji Trophy cricketers, have been listed at a base price of Rs 5 lakh, which is the highest category. Tendulkar is currently part of the Lucknow Super Giants squad in IPL 2026, while Addhatrao made his Ranji Trophy debut in the 2024-25 season and played for Pondicherry last year. Tendulkar has been representing Goa in domestic cricket over the past few seasons.
Cooling-Off Period Waiver
According to Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) rules, a local player returning after featuring as a guest player for another association is required to undergo a mandatory one-year cooling-off period. However, MCA secretary Unmesh Khanvilkar clarified that this clause would not apply in this case, as they did not participate in their respective states' T20 leagues. “Since they did not participate in the T20 league organised by the association of their respective teams, as per the BCCI rules, they are eligible to participate in the T20 Mumbai League,” Khanvilkar told TOI on Wednesday.
He further revealed that Addhatrao is switching back to Mumbai. “Addhatrao has submitted the required No-Objection Certificate from the Cricket Association of Pondicherry to us. He will serve a cooling-off period of one year and then will be eligible to play for Mumbai again,” he added.
Star Players Retained and Returning
India captain Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, and Shivam Dube have all been retained by their respective teams. India's Test opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and senior batter Ajinkya Rahane are both slated to feature in Season 4 of the T20 Mumbai League, which will begin on June 2, just after the conclusion of IPL 2026 on May 31. Both Jaiswal and Rahane missed the previous season due to various reasons but have been allotted as 'Icon Players'. Jaiswal has been assigned to the Bandra Blasters, although he is unlikely to play in the league as he is scheduled to represent India in the one-off Test match against Afghanistan from June 6 in New Chandigarh.
