Shardul Thakur is in a happy space. He returned to the Indian Test team after a year-and-a-half, for the England tour, earlier this year. He was made Mumbai captain, succeeding Ajinkya Rahane, and then he was traded to Mumbai Indians from Lucknow Super Giants for the next edition of the Indian Premier League — the seventh team he will represent after Punjab Kings, Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants. MI will be the fifth different team Thakur will play for in as many seasons.

“Coming to Mumbai Indians, I can only say that everyone likes to play at their home venue and on their home ground. This has been pending for a long time, but is possible only when the time is right. And I think that time has finally come,” said Thakur, 34, after leading Mumbai to their third win of this Ranji Trophy season, an innings and 222-run victory over Puducherry, at Wankhede on Wednesday.