IPL Trade News 2020: 4 Overseas Players Mumbai Indians might release after acquiring Trent Boult

4 Overseas Players Mumbai Indians might release: The defending champions currently have as many as 12 overseas players.

Indian Premier League defending champions Mumbai Indians have acquired New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult from Delhi Capitals for the forthcoming season of the tournament.

With tomorrow being the last day of the trade window ahead of the auction, Indians have made public a significant development at a crucial juncture.

Boult’s addition means that MI now have as many as eight overseas fast bowlers in their squad. With vice-captain Kieron Pollard, wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock, opening batsman Evin Lewis and all-rounder Shane Rutherford also in the squad, the franchise has a total of 12 overseas players with them.

With a team allowed to include a maximum of eight overseas players, expect Mumbai to release four players by tomorrow. Having traded Rutherford and Boult post IPL 2019, they certainly won’t release them into the auction.

4 Overseas Players Mumbai Indians might release

Adam Milne

New Zealand fast bowler Adam Milne had pulled out of IPL 2019 due to a heel injury. The 27-year old cricketer was bought for INR 75 lakhs in the auction. Having last played for New Zealand more than a year ago, Milne seems to have been off track as far as national selection is concerned.

While Milne still possesses praiseworthy format in this format, his replacement in Alzarri Joseph picking the best-ever IPL figures for MI last season is likely to work against Milne. In five IPL matches, Milne has picked four wickets at an average of 44.25, an economy rate of 9.83 and a strike rate of 27.

Beuran Hendricks

South Africa fast bowler Beuran Hendricks had been roped in as Alzarri Joseph’s replacement midway though the tournament last season. Not getting to play a match, things are likely to become more difficult for Hendricks as MI have included Boult who is among the top left-arm fast bowlers in world cricket.

In the seven matches that Hendricks played for Kings XI Punjab in 2014 and 2015, he dismissed nine batsmen at an average of 26.11, an economy rate of 9.40 and a strike rate of 16.66.

Ben Cutting

Australia all-rounder Ben Cutting is also likely to be released tomorrow. The 32-year old player had played only three matches in IPL 2019 where he returned with minimal returns across departments.

It is true that Cutting didn’t get the best of chances last season but the chances are likely to decrease with the inclusion of Rutherford. With Indians also having Hardik Pandya and Pollard as all-rounders, they are likely to release Cutting.

In 21 IPL matches till date, Cutting has scored 238 runs at an average of 21.63 and a strike rate of 168.79. With the ball in hand, the Aussie player has dismissed 10 batsmen at an average of 42.90, an economy rate of 9.16 and a strike rate of 28.10.

Jason Behrendorff / Mitchell McClenaghan

Boult’s inclusion also hints at Mumbai releasing one out of Mitchell McClenghan and Jason Behrendorff ahead of IPL 2020 auction. Both Behrendorff and McClenaghan had played five matches each in IPL 2019 and returned with below par figures.

While Behrendorff picked five wickets at an average of 33 and an economy rate of 8.68, McClenaghan picked three wickets at an average of 47.33 and an economy rate of 7.88. Already having a new-ball bowler in Boult, MI might release Behrendorff and retain the experience of McClenaghan with them.