16-Year-Old Nagaland Spinner Called Up For Trials By Mumbai Indians Ahead Of IPL 2021 Auction

Defending champions, Mumbai Indians have started their preparations to retain their title in the upcoming 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as they have commenced their trail camps. In the preparatory camps, the staff members of MI have called up several youngsters to have a look at them ahead of the auction for IPL 2021.

One amongst such players is Khrievitso Kense, a 16-year-old leg-spinner from Nagaland. Kense has impressed the MI scouting team in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which is India’s premier domestic T20 tournament. Playing for the Nagaland, the leggie returned with superb figures – he snared 7 wickets in 4 matches at a bowling average was 12.00 and an economy of 5.47.

According to a report published by Eastern Mirror, Kense was approached by a member of the Mumbai Indians scouting team after his match against Arunachal Pradesh. Impressing them even further, the right-arm leg-spinner took two 3-wicket hauls in the next two games.

Since MI has called him for the trials, the youngster will likely be named in the auction, which is slated for 18th February in Chennai. Hailing from the Tuophema village, if Kense is bought by MI or any franchise, he will become the first player from Nagaland to feature in the IPL.

Mumbai Indians release 7 players ahead of the auction

Mumbai Indians have announced their released and retained players. From the title-winning squad of last season, the five-time champions have released all but Trent Boult from their overseas fast bowling contingent: Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Pattinson, and Mitchell McClenaghan are being released while veteran pacer, Lasith Malinga has retired from franchise cricket.

Youngsters, Sherfane Rutherford, Prince Balwant Rai, and Digvijay Deshmukh have also been offloaded back into the auction pool by the Nita Ambani owned franchise. MI has retained 10 out of the 11 players which won the final against Delhi Capitals.

They will target a couple of overseas fast bowlers – maybe buy Coulter-Nile back at a lower price as he provides batting depth as well – give support and back-up for Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult. They would also be hunting for an experienced spinner as a back-up for Rahul Chahar. Rest, the defending champions are heavy favourites to retain the title and would want to make a hat-trick of titles.

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