IPL 2023: Jason Behrendorff traded from RCB to MI

Australia pace bowler Jason Behrendorff, a part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL 2022, has been officially traded by the franchise to the Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of the 2023 season. RCB picked him at his base price of INR 75 lakh in the mega auction earlier this year. Though picked by RCB last season, Behrendorff did not participate in any matches as Josh Hazlewood and David Willey were a part of the setup.

Towering at 1.93 meters, the Australia pacer can get extra bounce and has the ability to generate pace to upwards of 140 kmph, which could be of great use to the Mumbai side. As for RCB, the franchise could be on the lookout for a dependable pacer ahead in the forthcoming auction, which is scheduled to be held on December 23 in Kochi.

Behrendorff has experience of playing in the IPL, having represented the Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians in his previous stints. In five IPL outings, Behrendorff has scalped five wickets with the best bowling performance of 2/22. The Australian pace spearhead is set to don the Mumbai outfit in his second stint with the franchise since 2018. He played for the side on five occasions and picked as many wickets in the particular season.

The player pool for the auction will be finalized by the league authorities by early December after the franchises submit the final list of players that are being released, the deadline for which is November 15. The auction to be held in December will be a mini auction as opposed to the mega auction, which took place earlier this year.