In a significant development leading up to the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have engaged in a trade involving players Mayank Dagar and Shahbaz Ahmed.
Shahbaz Ahmed, who was acquired by Bangalore for INR 2.4 crore in the 2022 auction, is set to move to Hyderabad as part of this trade. Similarly, Dagar, who joined Hyderabad for INR 1.8 crore in the same auction, will now be donning the Royal Challengers Bangalore jersey.
In the recently concluded 16th season of the IPL, Dagar represented Sunrisers Hyderabad in three matches but failed to leave a significant impact. He will be eager for a fresh start and a better outcome with Bangalore. On the other hand, Ahmed played 10 games for Bangalore in 2022 but struggled to capitalize on his performances.
As the trade deadline looms, there are speculations about the exclusion of ace spinner Wanindu Hasaranga and pacer Harshal Patel from the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad for the upcoming season. However, no official confirmation has been provided as of yet.
Another noteworthy trade in the making involves Gujarat Titans skipper Hardik Pandya, who is reportedly set to return to his former team, Mumbai Indians. Reports suggest that Mumbai will pay INR 15 crore and an undisclosed fee for Pandya’s transfer, and no player will be exchanged in return.
Despite the widespread rumors, neither Mumbai Indians nor Gujarat Titans have issued an official statement regarding this potential trade. The deadline for announcing player retentions is November 26.