Mumbai Indians have suffered yet another blow in their bowling department as their pacer Adam Milne has pulled out of the upcoming IPL season.
After Lasith Malinga opted to miss the first six games of the season 12, it is being reported that the Kiwi speedster Milne has also ruled himself out from the tournament due to a swollen heel.
Milne was bought by Mumbai Indians at the IPL auction for INR 75 lakhs (USD 104,000 approx on the day of auction) but now he will have to sit out of the entire tournament.
MI hasn’t released an official statement on Milne but it is being reported by ESPNCricinfo that they are close to signing the young West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph as a replacement.
Mumbai cannot sign a player as a replacement for an amount greater than they paid for the original player. Therefore, for Milne’s replacement, the franchise cannot a price greater than INR 75 lakhs, that is what was paid for the Kiwi pacer at the auction.
Mumbai Indians, who will play their opening match at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, against Delhi Capitals, currently have three overseas fast bowlers: New Zealand T20 freelancer Mitchell McClenaghan and the Australian pair of Jason Behrendorff and Ben Cutting.
