Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore have hammered out an agreement to swap Robin Uthappa and Zaheer Khan.
The much-talked about transfer of the season has come through in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore have hammered out an agreement to swap Robin Uthappa and Zaheer Khan. A formal announcement will be made on Thursday, the final day of the IPL transfer window, which has been open since December 22.
The deal, first reported by DNA, is being seen as a win-win for both the franchises although there is quite a big difference in price between the players. It has been learnt there will not be any exchange of money in the transfer.
The transfer has come through following interests from both sides. Mumbai Indians wanted Zaheer Khan and Bangalore, having no major specialist T20 player in their side, desperately looked for a hard-hitting batsman like Uthappa. The deal means both players will be playing for their home sides in the second edition of the tournament, scheduled to start on April 10.
Uthappa led Karnataka this year in the Ranji Trophy, while Zaheer was the star bowler for Mumbai in the Ranji final last week. Officials of neither franchisee were willing to comment on the transfer but sources in the IPL and in the teams have confirmed that the deal has happened.
Uthappa, riding a wave following India’s triumph in the T20 World Cup, was taken for a hefty amount of $ 850,000 while Zaheer Khan was purchased by Vijay Mallya for $ 450,000.
Meanwhile, an agency report said that Uthappa could be made captain of the RCB ahead of Icon player Rahul Dravid. DNA could not confirm this development. But sources say such a thing is unlikely although Vijay Mallya recently went on record that he would need some time to confirm Dravid as captain of the side.
Meanwhile, Kings XI Punjab neither confirmed nor denied the report about RCB’s interest on pacer VRV Singh.
It could be known on Thursday as the IPL board is expected to come out with the list of transfers done during the one-month period. It is learnt a few more transfers have also taken place.
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