In a classic case of a premature announcement, veteran Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin found himself at the center of a social media storm after he accidentally leaked a major Indian Premier League (IPL) trade a full day before it was officially confirmed.
The Accidental Leak That Went Viral
The drama unfolded on Wednesday when Ashwin, during a discussion on his YouTube channel, seemingly let the cat out of the bag. While analyzing team strategies, he stated, "I don’t see any releases happening from MI. Will they try to secure a replacement for Deepak Chahar, who’s a bit injury-prone? They have secured Shardul Thakur on a trade from LSG. That is already done." This casual remark was the first official-sounding confirmation of all-rounder Shardul Thakur's move from the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to the Mumbai Indians (MI).
Although the video clip was swiftly removed from his channel, it was too late. The news had already been captured and began circulating like wildfire across various social media platforms, turning Ashwin into an unwilling newsbreaker.
Ashwin's Urgent Social Media Advisory
A day later, on Thursday, after the Mumbai Indians had officially confirmed the trade, Ashwin took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle to address the gaffe. Responding to a playful post by the Mumbai Indians that dubbed him "Ravichandran Romano"—a nod to famed football transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano—Ashwin issued a cautious warning.
He urged content creators to "Upload all trade-related videos carefully!" and astutely pointed out that "Trading is subject to rumour risk." His post served as a witty yet serious reminder of the intense speculation and potential for misinformation that surrounds the IPL trading and auction window.
Shardul Thakur's IPL Journey and New Home
With this trade, the Mumbai Indians will become the seventh IPL franchise that Shardul Thakur has represented in his career, underscoring his experience and value as a utility player. His previous stints include:
- Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings)
- Rising Pune Supergiant
- Delhi Capitals
- Kolkata Knight Riders
- Lucknow Super Giants
- Chennai Super Kings (a five-year stint)
Thakur's journey in the previous season was particularly interesting. He went unsold in the IPL auction held in Jeddah but later joined the Lucknow Super Giants as a replacement for Mohsin Khan at his base price of Rs 2 crore. During the IPL 2025 season, he proved his worth by taking 13 wickets in 10 matches, which included an impressive four-wicket haul, though he finished with an economy rate of 11.02.
This trade marks a significant new chapter for the seasoned all-rounder, who will now be looking to make a substantial impact for the five-time champions in the upcoming season.
