The five-time IPL champions, Mumbai Indians, have secured the services of West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd for the 2024 season. This acquisition comes after finalizing a trade agreement with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

Shepherd, with just four IPL matches under his belt representing LSG and Sunrisers Hyderabad, makes the move to MI for a fee of US$60,000. He is eager for more playing time on the field, leveraging his commendable reputation.

At 28 years old, Shepherd is renowned for his pace bowling prowess and a versatile set of variations that make him a valuable asset in different match situations. Additionally, his capable lower-order batting can prove instrumental in turning the game in favor of his team.

Having recently played a crucial role in the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ triumph in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Shepherd’s influence on the West Indies’ Twenty20 International squad has been steadily growing.

His stats are a testament to his impact: 301 runs in 31 matches at an average of 37.62, with a striking rate of 153.57. He has also taken 31 wickets at an average of 29.70.

In the previous IPL season, MI finished in fourth place with eight wins out of 14 matches. They secured a victory over LSG in the first elimination final but fell short against the Gujarat Titans in the second elimination final.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that the upcoming IPL auction will be held in Dubai, marking the first time the event will take place outside of India. This decision follows last year’s plan to host the auction in Istanbul, Turkey, which was later relocated to the Indian city of Kochi.

Furthermore, the deadline for submitting the list of released players has been extended from November 15 to November 26.

In a noteworthy development, Bloomberg News has reported that Saudi Arabia has expressed interest in acquiring a multi-billion dollar stake in the IPL. Advisers of Saudi Arabian crown prince Mohammad bin Salman have reportedly approached Indian government officials regarding the potential inclusion of the IPL in a holding company valued at up to US$30 billion.