[1]Amidst intense speculation on his future career, high-profile IPL franchise Mumbai Indians have retained captain Harbhajan Singh for the next season of the Indian Premier League.
Earlier, there were rumours that the veteran spinner might return to the auction pool for the next edition of the cash-rich league with the Mumbai franchise deciding to drop him given his recent poor form.
According to IPL sources, Harbhajan's name does not figure in the list of cricketers who will be released by the Mumbai Indians. The franchises had to submit their final list of players to be retained/released for the next season to the BCCI by Wednesday evening.
Pacer Munaf Patel is another name that is being circulated as being dropped by the Reliance-owned franchise but there is no confirmation on that as yet.
There had been intense speculation as to whether Harbhajan would be released but according to sources, the future of the 32-year-old spinner with the Reliance group owned franchise was never under question.
"These were baseless rumours and Harbhajan was and is still a part of this side. He has been with MI from the first season itself and brings a lot of value to the team. There was never any doubt about his future with MI," an IPL official in the know of things said.
The BCCI has not yet issued an official press release giving out the names of players who have been released by their respective franchises.
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