Playing for Mumbai Indians was pending for many years, says Thakur

New Delhi: Out of favour India all-rounder Shardul Thakur said that it's about time he played for his home side Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.

Lucknow Super Giants traded Thakur to Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2026, giving him the opportunity to pay for the five-time champions for the first time.

"Everyone likes to play in the home venue and on the home ground. I think this has been pending for many years. But when the time comes, that's when it becomes possible. I think finally the time has come,” he said on Wednesday after Mumbai beat Pondicherry by an innings and 122 runs at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday.

Thakur believes playing in white-ball matches between red-ball fixtures during the domestic season helps in mental refreshment of payers.

Thakur endorsed the current scheduling of Ranji Trophy, which is being held in two phases for the second successive season, rather than matches held in only three-day gaps earlier, which he had criticised.

"There would always be mixed views on it, but personally I am okay with it.... to play ten games in a row is tough on the body,” Thakur said.

"We have also seen how the schedule is in the UK when the ECB plays. They have seven or eight first-class games in a row and then again they keep playing after break. They put some white-ball games in between, so that keeps everyone mentally fresh.

"Otherwise, you are just playing one format for three months and then suddenly, white-ball cricket and then red-ball cricket is lost. So, it's good that we are playing five games and we have a bit of a break. Then we play white-ball tournament, and then again move to red-ball cricket.

"So that way everyone stays in touch. They stay on top of both the games mentally…"

The Mumbai skipper also said matches of different formats hekpd those players who feature in first-class cricket regularly.

"Players who are playing First-Class cricket throughout the year, they would have had 14 First-Class games potentially with India A games, the Irani Trophy, the Duleep Trophy or even more. So a bit of break in between, switching in the formats is always good,” he said.