Mumbai: Five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians (MI) are reportedly in advanced talks to bring back leg-spinner Mayank Markande, according to sources.
The 28-year-old bowler, who began his IPL journey with Mumbai in 2018, rose to prominence in his debut season — grabbing 15 wickets in 14 matches at an economy rate of 8.36. His impressive run that year had made him one of the breakout stars of the tournament.
MI–KKR Trade Talks in Final Stages
As per the report, Mumbai Indians have approached Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a possible trade of Markande, who did not feature in a single game during the 2025 season.
“The five-time title winners have approached Kolkata Knight Riders for leg-spinner Mayank Markande, and it’s reliably learnt that the conversations have reached the final stages. If all goes well, the trade could be announced soon,” TOI quoted a source as saying.
While details remain under wraps, insiders suggest that the move could be an all-cash transaction, as there is no clarity yet on whether another player will be part of the exchange.
KKR had purchased Markande for ₹30 lakh at the 2024 mega auction but did not give him any playing time last season.
MI Also Eyeing Rahul Chahar
Interestingly, the report further claims that Markande isn’t the only spinner on MI’s radar. The franchise is also exploring the possibility of re-signing Rahul Chahar, another leg-spinner who previously played a key role for Mumbai during their title-winning years.
Markande’s IPL Journey So Far
Markande’s career has seen multiple highs and setbacks since his breakout debut in 2018. After a promising start, injuries hampered his progress, limiting him to just three matches and one wicket in the 2019 season.
He was subsequently released by MI ahead of IPL 2020, went unsold that year, and later joined Rajasthan Royals in 2021 before making a brief return to Mumbai in 2022.
His career regained momentum when SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) picked him up before IPL 2023. Markande delivered consistent performances, taking 12 wickets in 2023 and 8 wickets in 2024, helping SRH finish as runners-up under skipper Pat Cummins.
What Lies Ahead
If the trade goes through, Markande will reunite with Mumbai Indians, the team where he first made his mark as a promising young spinner. The move could also bolster MI’s spin department ahead of the IPL 2026 mini auction, where tactical team restructuring is already underway.