Rohit Sharma would continue to lead the Mumbai Indians in the next season of the Indian Premier League as the multi-time champions on Thursday retained a total of 18 players but have released the likes of fast bowlers Pat Cummins, Mustafizur Rahman and all-rounder JP Duminy.
Cummins could play a single game for Mumbai as he was ruled out before the start of the tournament. Sri-Lankan off-spinner Akila Dananjaya also has been released.
A total of 10 players have been released by the franchise which includes one capped. five uncapped and four other international cricketers.
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Among the players retained are all-rounders Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya and Anukul Roy, bowlers Jasprit Bumrah, Mayank Markhande and Rahul Chahar, wicket-keeper Aditya Tare and batsman Suryakumar Yadav.
They have also retained the services of Kieron Pollard, Ben Cutting, opener Evin Lewis and Mitchell McClenaghan and Adam Milne. Australia’s left-arm speedster Jason Behrendorff, who was recalled to his national side for the series against the South Africans, too have been retained.
They have freed domestic players like Saurabh Tiwary, Pradeep Sangwan, Sharad Lumba, Tajinder Singh Dhillon, Mohsin Khan and Kerala’s MD Nidheesh off their contracts with the franchise.
Retained players: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Krunal Pandya, Ishan Kishan (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Mayank Markande, Rahul Chahar, Anukul Roy, Siddhesh Lad, Aditya Tare, Quinton de Kock, Kieron Pollard, Ben Cutting, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Jason Behrendorff.
Released players: Saurabh Tiwary, Pradeep Sangwan, Mohsin Khan, MD Nidheesh, Sharad Lumba, Tajinder Singh Dhillon, JP Duminy, Pat Cummins, Mustafizur Rahman, Akila Dananjaya.