On Friday, all the IPL teams have released their players. Royal Challengers Bangalore has released 12 players, the most number of players off-loaded by a franchise. Mumbai Indians have released seven players and have retained 15 players which let them won the fourth IPL title. Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals released 11 players each.
Mumbai Indians traded in Trent Boult
On Thursday (14th November), before the closing of the trading window, Mumbai Indians have traded in Trent Boult (from Delhi Capitals), New Zealand left-arm fast bowler. Jason Behrendorff, the Aussie fast bowler, was released by MI because the player has to go for the spinal surgery. MI coach Mahela Jayawardene opined that Trent Boult in place of Jason will be a beneficial partner to Jasprit Bumrah.
The biggest concern we had was with Jason Behrendorff having the operation,” Jayawardene was quoted as saying by the IANS. “We needed to replace him, he was fantastic for us last year and when the opportunity came with Delhi releasing Trent Boult, we felt he is a world-class bowler, very lethal in our conditions and especially to partner Bumrah — that will be a lethal partnership.”
The yorker King Jasprit Bumrah is the crucial part for the team. He is a perfect death over bowler. Currently, the player is under rehabilitation period after he was discovered with a minor stress fracture in the lower back.
Mayank Markande released
Mumbai Indian have seven slots left in the squad. Apart from Trent Boult, the franchise also traded in Sherfane Rutherford (from Delhi Capitals) and Dhawal Kulkarni (from Rajasthan Royals). Former MI cricketer Mayank Markande was traded out to Delhi Capitals. Jayawardene opined that both Kulkarni and Rutherford will be an asset to the team.
“Obviously we let go of Mayank (Markande) because we felt that he could get some game time in Delhi. And then there was the opportunity of getting Sherfane Rutherford who we fee is an exciting talent for us,” he said.
He added, “Dhawal Kulkarni is an experienced bowler we needed in the squad. He is a local Mumbai boy so we had no hesitation in signing him up. So we have strengthened a few areas that were important for us and now looking forward to the auction.”