Former India cricketer Abhinav Mukund has stirred the pot, suggesting that Mumbai Indians (MI) should release South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock ahead of the November 17 retention deadline. Mukund believes MI desperately needs an Indian wicketkeeping option, a void felt since Ishan Kishan's departure before the IPL 2025 mega auction.

MI is reportedly in talks to trade star all-rounder Hardik Pandya to Punjab Kings for paceman Arshdeep Singh, ahead of the IPL 2027 auction scheduled for December 16. While Arshdeep would bolster an already strong pace attack featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, and Trent Boult, Mukund highlights the lack of an experienced Indian gloveman.

Currently, MI relies on overseas options like de Kock and Ryan Rickelton, alongside uncapped Robin Minz. Mukund, speaking to JioStar, pointed out the tactical dilemma: “If you're talking about Mumbai Indians, the only thing, according to me, that was missing was an Indian wicketkeeper. That was a big miss for them because, in their top seven, they had to play either Ryan Rickelton or Quinton de Kock. I would release Quinton de Kock for the sole reason of just freeing up overseas cap space, in case you need someone else.” This move, he argues, would provide MI with greater flexibility in their overseas player slots, especially considering potential trades.

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