IPL: Mumbai Indians release Mayank Markande; rope in DC all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford

It seems that the franchises of the Indian Premier League have already started preparing for the IPL 2020. The transfer window has opened for trading players and four-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians (MI) have decided to make the first move by bringing in a player from another franchise and releasing a player that had done well for them in IPL 2018.

Mumbai Indians won their fourth title in 2019 after defeating Chennai Super Kings in the finals. Rohit Sharma, in turn, became the first captain to win four titles and the first player with five IPL crowns to his name. This continued MI’s sequence of winning the league in odd-numbered years starting from 2013; as they have won it in 2015, 2017 and now 2019.

MI bring in Sherfane Rutherford from Delhi Capitals

The Mumbai-based franchise has instead brought in all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford from Delhi Capitals. Rutherford, who hails from Guyana in the Caribbean, was hailed as one of the most exciting players in T20 cricket and was brought by DC for INR 2 crore in 2019 auction. The right-hand fast-medium bowler and left-handed batsman played seven games in 2019 season for DC.

He made 73 runs and picked one wicket in those matches. The 20-year-old has played one T20I for the West Indies against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2018, while has scored 246 runs and picked 1 wicket from 16 T20 matches. He has also featured in Caribbean Premier League for the Guyana Amazon Warriors and has played for West Indies U19 team as well.

“I am excited to welcome the talented Sherfane into our family. He has impressed us with his all-round skills and match-winning attitude. His exploits across the world at such an early stage of his career have been impressive and we believe he finds his home at MI,” MI owner Akash Ambani was quoted as saying by Mumbai Indians official website.

‘We wish Mayank the very best’

MI have decided to let go leg-spinner Mayank Markande, who had come into limelight for his performances in the IPL 2018. The young leggie from Punjab had rattled the Chennai Super Kings in the opening match of the IPL 2018 by picking three big wickets including that of skipper MS Dhoni and even wore the purple cap for most wickets in that IPL season.

Markande didn’t get many chances in IPL 2019 as MI preferred Rahul Chahar as their premier spinner given his ability to keep the runs down and also for his ability to handle the long handle down the order. Akash Ambani further added, “We wish Mayank the very best for his future. He is a brilliant talent and we were fortunate to have spotted and nurtured him early. It is a difficult decision for us, but we are releasing him for better cricketing prospects and know that he is on the cusp of emerging as yet another shining star of Indian cricket. He will always be a part of the Mumbai Indians family.”