Mumbai Indians (MI) are pretty much elated with the way the transfer window went for them this year ahead of the auctions for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. They got New Zealand pacer Trent Boult who will surely strengthen the team’s pace unit which already has Jasprit Bumrah.

Head coach Mahela Jayawardene looked pretty excited with the arrival of the Kiwi pacer as the management was looking for the replacement of Jason Behrendorff, whose back surgery in October could keep him out for a lengthy period.

“The biggest concern we had was with Jason Behrendorff having the operation,” said Jayawardene. “We needed to replace him, he was fantastic for us last year and when the opportunity came with Delhi releasing Trent Boult, we felt he is a world-class bowler, very lethal in our conditions and especially to partner Bumrah -- that will be a lethal partnership.”

MI had to let go of spinner Mayank Markande. “Obviously we let go of Mayank (Markande) because we felt that he could get some game time in Delhi. And then there was the opportunity of getting Sherfane Rutherford who we feel is an exciting talent for us,” Jayawardene said.

“Dhawal Kulkarni as well and experienced bowler we needed in the squad. He is a local Mumbai boy so we had no hesitation in signing him up. So we have strengthened a few areas that were important for us and now looking forward to the auction,” he added.