IPL: Mumbai Indians looking to revamp team

CHENNAI: Mumbai Indians (MI), probably the biggest under-achievers of the five-year-old IPL, are now seriously looking at revamping their team for the sixth edition. It's understood that the team management has released at least six players from the roster - a mix of Indian and foreign players. Some of the players rumoured to have been released by MI are Richard Levy, Thissara Perrera, Davey Jacobs, Aiden Blizzard and Clint McKay.


While Levy, who scored the fastest T20 century in international cricket, was a big buy for Mumbai last season, the franchise coughed up $650,000 for Perrera. A couple of other players like Herschelle Gibbs might be exchanged once the trading window opens later this month. "We have to be judicious in our approach," an MI source said. Wednesday was the last day for the submission of the lists - will be made public by the BCCI soon -by the teams.

There was intense speculation on Tuesday that MI skipper Harbhajan Singh is on his way out, but the franchisee scotched these rumours. "These were baseless rumours and Harbhajan was and is still a part of this side. He has been with MI from the first season and brings in a lot of value to the team. There was never any doubt about his future with MI," an IPL official said.

Chennai Super Kings are also looking to release a couple of their foreign recruits. Doug Bollinger, who was instrumental in their IPL triumphs in 2010 and 2011, was way below-par last season and returned home midway due to personal reasons. The pacer and Australia's T20 captain Geroge Bailey are likely to be released by CSK.

Ravindra Jadeja was the costliest buy for CSK last season. But he was a disappointment and some CSK officials want him to be released to use the money for buying some players. However, there was no confirmation on Jadeja from the franchise.