T20 WC brand ambassador Yuvraj backs Rohit & Virat in squad
Karthik started the last T20 World Cup in Australia as India’s designated keeper before losing his spot ahead of the team’s semifinal defeat to England.
In the Indian Premier League 2019’s first trade, Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore sold South Africa’s wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock to Mumbai Indians.
RCB has bought De Kock for Rs 2.8 crore (USD 437,000) in the IPL 2018 auction. As per a report published in ESPNcricinfo, Mumbai Indians have purchased the services of the 25-year-old stylish keeper batsman at the same price. To offset the deal, Mumbai Indians owned by Reliance industries have released Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman (INR 2.2 crore, USD 343,000) and Sri Lankan off-spinner Akila Dananjaya (INR 50 lakh, USD 78,000).
Even before buying De Kock, MI already have two wicketkeepers in their squad in the form of Ishan Kishan and Aditya Tare. However, going by de Kock’s record with the gloves, Rohit Sharma would likely ask him to keep the wicket. If de Kock will keep the wickets for Mumbai in the upcoming season of IPL, Ishan Kishan may play as a specialist batsman.
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De Kock can also open Mumbai’s innings along with West Indies’ Evin Lewis.
Before joining RCB in IPL 2018, Quinton de Kock has played with Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad. The South African cricketer has played 34 IPL matches and scored 927 runs with the help of a century and six fifties at an average of 28.09 and with a strike rate of 130.
The last date for IPL franchises to retain and release their players are November 15 and a purse of INR 3 crore will be available to the clubs in addition to the remaining balance after last year’s auction.
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