Mumbai: Mumbai Indians (MI) team is the most successful franchise of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has called up Nagaland's 16-year-old Khrievitso Kense for trials.
It is to be noted that Kense made his domestic cricket debut in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (2020-2021), India's premier domestic T20 tournament.
Kense son of Atuo and Neibunuo Kense, hails from Sovima Village in Dimapur in Nagaland. He is playing for Nagaland and scalped 7 wickets in 4 matches.
According to a report, the 16 –year old leg-spinner revealed he was called up by an official from MI after watching a match.
Since the young leggie has been called by MI for the trials, the youngster would likely be named in the auction, which is slated for February 18 in Chennai. Kensei will be the first-ever cricketer who is likely to take part in the T20 league.
Hyunilo Anilo Khing, Honorary Secretary, Nagaland Cricket Association sharing the information wrote on Twitter, "Excited 2 share about dis young 16 yrs old leg spinner khrievitso Kense who made his debut dis#SyedMushtaqAliTrophy2021 hs bin shortlisted by da Mumbai Indians @mipaltan 4 trials. Bst wishes 2 da lad. @BCCI @abumetha @Nagaland_Post @morungexpress05 @Eastern_Mirror@NagalandExpress. "
Mumbai Indians squad for IPL 2020:
Ahead of the IPL 2021 auction the defending champions released IPL's highest wicket-taker Lasith Malinga, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Pattinson, Sherfane Rutherford, Prince Balwant Rai, Mitchell McClenaghan, and Vijay Deshmukh. Legendary pacer Malinga has retired from franchise cricket. And earlier this month, he informed his decision to the Mumbai Indians management making himself unavailable for the champion side's retention wishlist.
As Malinga's replacement James Pattinson was signed up while Nathan Coulter-Nile had joined MI for Rs 8 crore. Sherfane Rutherford was released after being on the bench throughout IPL 2020.
Going into the IPL 2021 auction, the franchise has a purse of Rs 15.35 crore. The Rohit Sharma-led side needs some overseas fast bowlers who can give support and be back-up Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult.
The senior players played a key role in MI's success last year. While Bumrah scalped 27 wickets, Boult finished IPL 2020 with 25 scalps.
The IPL 2021 auction is scheduled on February 18 in Chennai.