IPL 2021: After Mumbai Indians invite Nagaland cricketer, Rajasthan Royals invites two J&K pacers for the trials

IPL 2021 – J&K Players called for Rajasthan Royals Trials: The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals have called two pacers of J&K, Auqib Nabi and Mujtaba Yousuf for the trials ahead of IPL 2021 auction. Notably, Yousuf recently took part in Mumbai Indians selection trials as well and he was KKR’s net bowler in IPL 2020. The young left-arm pacer made his Twenty20 debut for Jammu & Kashmir in the 2018–19 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on 21 February 2019.

Meanwhile, Auquib Nabi, who hails from Baramulla, made his List A debut for Jammu & Kashmir in the 2018–19 Vijay Hazare Trophy on 23 September 2018 and later on 11 November 2019, he made his Twenty20 debut for Jammu & Kashmir in the 2019–20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Interestingly, so far only three players from Jammu and Kashmir have featured in IPL. Abdul Samad, Parvez Rasool and Rasikh Salam happen to be the only cricketers from J-K to make their debuts in the IPL.

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It is worth mentioning that RR have the third-highest purse in IPL 2021 auction with Rs 34.85 crore after releasing eight players, including their previous captain Steve Smith.

IPL 2021: Mumbai Indians invites 16-year-old Nagaland leg-spinner for trials

Reigning champions Mumbai Indians (MI) have one of the best scouting teams. It is MI’s scouting team who spotted Jasprit Bumrah and then rest is history. Mumbai has now invited a 16-year-old spinner from Nagaland, Khrievitso Kense for the trials ahead of the IPL 2021 auctions. If the youngster manages to impress the MI team management, he might be the first cricket from North East to play in the cash-rich league.

Kense made his domestic debut in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy’s league stage. He played four matches and scalped seven-wicket at an average of 12.00. His best figure was against Mizoram where he picked three wickets for 16 runs.

Speaking to Eastern Mirror, the leg spinner said that a senior official from Mumbai Indians got in touch with him after the SMAT match. If he gets selected, he will be a backup to Rahul Chahar.

The Rohit Sharma-led side will go into the auction with a remaining purse of Rs 15.35 crore. They have seven-slot left to fill including four overseas players. After releasing four of its overseas pacers in Lasith Malinga, James Pattinson, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Mitchell McClenaghan, the four-time champions will eye to pick a backup pacer to Trent Boult and Bumrah. The 2021 IPL auction will take place on February 18 in Chennai.