In a major pre-auction development, Mumbai Indians (MI) are reportedly in advanced talks with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to trade leg-spinner Mayank Markande ahead of the IPL 2026 season. According to reports, MI are eager to bring Markande back into their setup to strengthen their spin department before the auction.
Markande, who made his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians in 2018, impressed early with his wicket-taking ability. He was later traded to other franchises, including KKR, but couldn’t secure a regular spot due to strong competition in the playing XI. Now, with MI looking for a young, reliable spinner, a reunion seems likely.
Sources suggest that the two teams have held multiple discussions over the past few days. The trade could be a straight player exchange or involve a cash adjustment. MI see Markande as a long-term option, while KKR are open to reshaping their spin attack for better balance.
For KKR, the presence of experienced spinners like Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy limited Markande’s game time last season. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians have faced challenges with their spin combination, relying heavily on veterans like Piyush Chawla, making Markande’s return strategically valuable.
With the IPL 2026 retention deadline approaching and several teams finalizing their core squads, this potential trade could be one of the most talked-about moves of the season. If finalized, it may mark the comeback of one of MI’s most promising young spinners.