Mumbai: Mumbai Indians on Wednesday signed West Indies fast bowler Jerome Taylor to replace injured Sri Lankan paceman Lasith Malinga for the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
Malinga was ruled out with a recurring knee injury. He has played 98 matches in the IPL since joining the Mumbai Indians in 2009.
“Taylor will be available for selection for Mumbai subject to the completion of contractual paperwork formalities. The pacer has previously played in IPL representing KXIP and Pune franchise,” an IPL statement said.
Meanwhile, Australia opener Usman Khawaja is among the front-runners to replace injured Kevin Pietersen for the remainder season of Indian Premier League. According to Rising Pune Supergiants coach Stephen Fleming — Khawaja is one of the player they are looking to replace the former England batsman.
Having gone unsold at the IPL auction in February, Khawaja could be on a plane to India after Pietersen was ruled of the tournament.
Pune have not named a replacement for the Englishman, but Khawaja is the one of the front-runners, according to Supergiants coach Fleming.
“He (Khawaja) is a guy we are surely looking at,” Fleming said after the two-wicket loss to Kolkata on Sunday.
“There is a shortlist we are working through so looking at availability and visas and the likes, but he is certainly a guy we are interested in.”
The Supergiants have been monitoring Khawaja since he plundered 345 runs from four Big Bash League matches for Sydney Thunder at an average of 172.50.
“Khawaja was really unlucky not to have been picked by any team,” Pune chief executive Raghu Iyer said after the auction.
— IANS
