IPL 2019: Zaheer Khan joins Mumbai Indians as Director of Cricket Operations

IPL 2019: The franchise took to their official Twitter handle to welcome the former Indian speedster in an all-new role

The Mumbai Indians today inducted former left-arm pace bowler Zaheer Khan as the Director of Cricket Operations for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The experienced ex-India international will be part of the franchise’s think-tank, joining the owners Nita and Akash Ambani at the auction in Jaipur on Tuesday.

The franchise took to their official Twitter handle to welcome the former Indian speedster in an all-new role

Welcome back home, @ImZaheer 💙

📰 Read more before you see our Director of Cricket Operations at today's #IPLAuction ➡ https://t.co/IlcflBPTRU#CricketMeriJaan #ZakIsBack pic.twitter.com/H6LDQUrtIN

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) December 18, 2018

Zaheer was part of the Mumbai Indians in IPL seasons 2009, 2010 and 2014. He has 29 wickets to his name from 30 outings for the men in blue and gold. He last featured in the IPL 2017 for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) as a captain-cum mentor.

The former Indian quick will be joining the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Mahela Jayawardene, Robin Singh, Shane Bond in MI's backroom staff. This time, there will be no Lasith Malinga as he has thrown his hat in the auction ring.

The three-time IPL champions will be participating in the auction on Tuesday with a purse of Rs 11.5 Crore. The team is available with seven. They open to buy six Indian and one overseas player.

Squad (Retained):

Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Krunal Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Mayank Markande, Rahul Chahar, Anukul Roy, Siddhesh Lad, Aditya Tare, Evin Lewis, Kieron Pollard, Ben Cutting, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Jason Behrendorff.