IPL 2019: Siddhesh Lad thanks the paltan for believing in him once again

Mumbai cricketer Siddhesh Lad who has been with the Mumbai Indians for over 5 years now was once again retained by the franchise ahead of IPL 2019. On November 15 when all the teams announced the names of players they’ve retained and released, Mumbai let go of 15 players from the squad of 25. They also traded in a player Quinton de Kock.

Lad who also plays for Mumbai in the domestic circuit is yet to make his IPL debut, however, has an impressive first-class and List A record. The 23-year-old started off the Ranji Trophy 2018-19 with two half centuries against Railways. He was dismissed one short of a hundred in the first innings and scored 76 in the second and though it was a draw, Mumbai got 3 points with a first-innings lead.

The youngster tweeted to thank MI for believing in him again and that he is happy to be a part of the family. “Thank you @mipaltan for believing in me once again. Happy to be a part of the MI family,” he wrote.

Thank you @mipaltan for believing in me once again . Happy to be a part of the MI family. pic.twitter.com/oafEdgMxw9

— Siddhesh lad (@siddhesshlad) November 18, 2018

As far as the rest of the squad is concerned, Mumbai released Akila Dananjaya and Mustafizur Rahman in the trade window while adding de Kock. The final released list also included the likes of Saurabh Tiwary, Pradeep Sangwan, South African all-rounder JP Duminy, Australian pacer Pat Cummins.

Among the retained players are the usual names skipper Rohit, Hardik Pandya, Krunal, Ishan Kishan. One of the surprise retentions was that of West Indian Kieron Pollard who has struggled to strike form of late and wasn’t quite at his best in IPL 2018.

Mumbai Indians retained and released players:

Retained: Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Krunal Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Mayank Markande, Rahul Chahar, Anukul Roy, Siddhesh Lad, Aditya Tare, Evin Lewis, Kieron Pollard, Ben Cutting, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Jason Behrendorff

Released: Saurabh Tiwary, Pradeep Sangwan, Mohsin Khan, MD Nidheesh, Sharad Lumba, Tajinder Singh Dhillon, JP Duminy, Pat Cummins, Mustafizur Rahman, Akila Dananjaya.

Going into the auction, MI have 7 slots where they can sign-up 6 Indian players and only one overseas cricketer.

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