The player trading window in the IPL opens a month after one season ends and extends until a week before the auction date. The window reopens from December 20 to a month before the next season begins. Player trades have been part of the IPL since 2009 when Mumbai Indians acquired Shikhar Dhawan from Delhi Daredevils. A two-way trade involves a player swap, with the price difference being paid by one team to the other. Players must consent to being traded, as was the case when Hardik traded to Mumbai. Even with the possibility of high transfer fees, no trade can proceed without the consent of the team the player currently belongs to.
