In a bustling scene at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Ishan Kishan, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, is captured during an Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 cricket match. This image sets the stage for the intense trade discussions surrounding him as the IPL mini-auction draws near.
While the Indian Premier League mini-auction is still a little while away, activity behind the scenes is buzzing as franchises explore potential trade options for their players. Sunrisers Hyderabad’s talented wicketkeeper-batter, Ishan Kishan, is currently one of the most sought-after players. Five-time champions Mumbai Indians are reportedly at the forefront of the race to reacquire the explosive left-hander. While Mumbai Indians have initiated discussions, a formal deal has yet to materialize.
Beyond Mumbai Indians, both Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals have also expressed interest in Kishan, approaching Sunrisers Hyderabad for a possible trade or an all-cash transaction. These three franchises are keenly looking for a top-order wicketkeeper-batter to strengthen their squads.
For Mumbai Indians, Kishan represents more than just a top-order option. Although South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton performed well for them in IPL 2025, Kishan offers greater flexibility, potentially allowing the team to field another overseas player in their starting XI. Furthermore, acquiring Kishan could be a strategic move to prepare for the eventual departure of veteran captain Rohit Sharma, who, at 38, is nearing the end of his IPL career. Mumbai Indians have a history of investing in future talent, and Kishan, a player they’ve nurtured previously, perfectly aligns with their long-term vision.
However, the final outcome of these negotiations hinges on the discussions between Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Despite initial reports suggesting SRH’s reluctance to release Kishan, the situation could shift if the player himself decides to pursue a move.
Kishan experienced his most successful IPL seasons with Mumbai Indians, and his stint with SRH after a hefty Rs 11.25 crore acquisition at the mega-auction proved to be less impactful. His journey since then has been a rollercoaster, but signs indicate a resurgence. He was almost called up to the India Test squad during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy but was sidelined by injury, with N Jagadeesan stepping in for Rishabh Pant.
The left-handed batter demonstrated his strong form at the start of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season, smashing an impressive 173 runs against Tamil Nadu, a performance instrumental in Jharkhand’s dominant innings-and-114-run victory. Even though Kishan wasn’t included in the recent India A squad, national selectors are still closely monitoring his progress.