Four-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians have released their opener Evin Lewis before the IPL 2019 auction. As per a report in ESPNcricinfo, Mumbai Indians have also brought in Rajasthan Royals’ pacer Dhawal Kulkarni. Lewis, who had joined the team before IPL 2018 for Rs 3.8 Crores, had a great debut season as he scored 382 runs in 13 matches.
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However, he did not get enough chances in IPL 2019 as the franchise had brought in Quinton de Kock from Royal Challengers Bangalore while Rohit Sharma also moved up the order before World Cup 2019. Lewis just got three chances in IPL 2019 and was always in line to be released.
MI have likes of Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Siddhesh Lad and Aditya Tare as backup openers. Lewis, who will be in the auction, is expected to get a buyer but at a low price.
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Kulkarni, who was retained by Rajasthan Royals by the use Right to Match card for Rs 75 Lakhs, had joined the team in IPL 2018 auction. In 18 matches for the franchise in these two seasons, the right-arm pacer scalped 10 wickets. His economy rate in both the seasons was above 9.
In 90 IPL matches so far, he has scalped 86 wickets.
It will be a homecoming for Kulkarni as he was a part of Mumbai Indians for six long seasons – 2008 to 2013. He is also veteran of Mumbai cricket and has played all his cricket for Mumbai state team.
The IPL auction for the next season of the league takes place on December 19 and all the teams have a day left to announce the list of released and traded players. Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore haven’t yet come up with any announcement.
SRH are likely to retain most of their players while KKR might release their vice-captain, Robin Uthappa. CSK are unexpected to deliver a surprise. RCB might release Shimron Hetmyer.