Mitchell McClenaghan is set to replace injured Jason Behrendorff in the Mumbai Indians squad for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. The left-arm fast bowler was ruled out of the 2018 edition due to a back problem.

The New Zealand bowler will return to Mumbai for his fourth season in a row after the IPL Technical Committee has approved him as a replacement for the Australian. He was picked from the pool of registered players who are available to play.

“Mr. Behrendorff is suffering from a back problem and has been ruled out of the VIVO IPL 2018. In accordance with the Player Regulations, the Mumbai Indians were allowed to choose a replacement from the Registered and Available Player Pool (RAPP),” a statement from the IPL read.

Mumbai have picked McClenaghan at his base price of Rs 1 crore. He went unsold at the auction earlier this year, despite being part of the Mumbai squad for the past three seasons. The Kiwi pacer played a big role in Rohit Sharma and Co’s successful IPL campaign last season taking 19 wickets in 14 matches.

Mumbai Indians begin their title defence hosting two-time winners Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium in the opening game on April 7.

S