Injuries are once again causing setbacks for teams in the 2024 IPL season, with the Mumbai Indians being the latest to suffer. Kerala’s wicketkeeper-batter Vishnu Vinod has been sidelined, prompting Mumbai to bring in a replacement. They’ve opted for Harvik Desai, a talented wicketkeeper-batter from Saurashtra. Desai has showcased his skills across all formats in domestic cricket, boasting centuries in each. He was also part of the victorious 2018 U19 World Cup team alongside notable players such as Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw, Riyan Parag, Arshdeep Singh, and Abhishek Sharma.

Saurashtra ✈️ मुंबई 🏟️

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Welcome home, Harvik! 💙
The right-handed WK-batter replaces Vishnu. #MumbaiMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/6D0PfgbEld

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 11, 2024

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“Vishnu Vinod picked up an injury in his left forearm and has been ruled out of the season, and Mumbai Indians wish him a speedy recovery,” Mumbai Indians said in a statement.

Vinod featured in three matches for the Mumbai Indians during last year’s IPL, accumulating a total of 37 runs, with his highest score being 30. Prior to his stint with Mumbai in 2023, Vinod had previously been associated with the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals. However, his IPL appearances were limited to the 2017 season when he played for the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore.

In contrast, Desai has established himself as a reliable performer for Saurashtra in first-class cricket, consistently delivering strong performances across various formats. At 24 years old, Desai is eager to demonstrate his capabilities if given the chance in the IPL, as this marks his debut opportunity in the lucrative league.

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Desai’s performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was exceptional, as he accumulated 336 runs in seven matches at an impressive strike rate of 175. His standout innings included an unbeaten 104, showcasing his ability to score big and maintain a brisk scoring rate.

Desai might not immediately secure a spot in the starting XI, especially with Suryakumar Yadav returning to the lineup at No. 3. However, in the context of a lengthy tournament like the IPL, and considering the impact player rule, any Indian player who has demonstrated potential at this level remains close to an opportunity. Despite the Mumbai Indians’ current record of winning just one out of four games, they’ll be eager to regain their winning form as they face off against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

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