Mumbai Indians (MI), five-time champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), have acquired West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd for the upcoming 2024 season in a trade with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Shepherd, who has previously represented LSG and Sunrisers Hyderabad, brings his skills to MI in exchange for a $60,000 fee.
Mumbai, a strong contender in the IPL, aims to maximize Shepherd’s potential as he looks forward to more playing time. The 28-year-old cricketer is renowned for his pace bowling prowess and a versatile skill set that can be employed strategically throughout matches. Additionally, his lower-order batting capabilities offer valuable depth to the MI line-up.
A key player in the West Indies Twenty20 International squad
Shepherd’s recent success includes being part of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, who clinched their maiden Caribbean Premier League title in September. He has also established himself as a key player in the West Indies Twenty20 International squad, showcasing an impressive record with both bat and ball. Shepherd boasts 301 runs in 31 matches at an average of 37.62, with a strike rate of 153.57, along with 31 wickets at an average of 29.70.
In the 2023 IPL season, MI finished fourth with eight wins in 14 matches. They progressed to the first elimination final by defeating LSG but were subsequently eliminated by the Gujarat Titans. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced that the IPL auction for the upcoming season will take place in Dubai, marking the first time this event will be held outside India. The deadline for the list of released players has been extended from November 15 to November 26.
In a notable development, Bloomberg News reported Saudi Arabia’s interest in acquiring a multibillion-dollar stake in the IPL. The report suggests that advisers to Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have explored the possibility of moving the IPL into a holding company with an estimated value of up to $30 billion.
