Mumbai Indians (MI) have signed West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph for the IPL 2019 season after their New Zealand import Adam Milne was ruled out of the tournament due to a heel injury.
“Mumbai Indians have picked Alzarri Joseph as a replacement for the injured fast bowler Adam Milne for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019”, the franchise said in a statement.
Milne, who was picked for Rs 75 lakh at last year’s auction, forced to pull out without playing a single IPL game this season. He has previously turned out for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Joseph has featured in nine Tests and 16 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) for the West Indies so far, and this will be his first season of the IPL.
According to the rules, the amount paid to a replacement player cannot exceed the amount paid to the original player. Milne was bought for Rs 75 lakh in the auction.
Joseph’s inclusion further boosts Mumbai’s bowling attack after the return of Sri Lankan veteran pacer Lasith Malinga.
Another addition to the list of MI stars from the Caribbean isles 😋
Our #OneFamily is as excited as you are, Joseph 🤩#CricketMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/QPqfSxIyVV
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 28, 2019
MI will face RCB in their second IPL match on March 28 in Bengaluru. Having lost their opening game against the Delhi Capitals, Rohit Sharma & Co. will be hoping to register their first win this season.