Daryl Mitchell Ruled Out Of MLC 2024; Replacement Announced

The upcoming Major League Cricket (MLC) season faced an early setback as New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell was sidelined due to injury. Mitchell, a key overseas signing for the Texas Super Kings, has been struggling with form and fitness in recent times. His stint at the T20 World Cup 2024 was lackluster, managing only 36 runs across three innings as New Zealand exited the tournament in the group stage. The 33-year-old's troubles extended back to earlier injuries, including a foot injury that forced him to miss the second Test against South Africa in February. His return to cricket thereafter saw him struggle to regain his peak performance, evident in his underwhelming performances for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. In light of Mitchell's unavailability, the Texas Super Kings swiftly made a move by signing Afghan spinner Noor Ahmad as his replacement. Ahmad, known for his spin prowess, joins the franchise with expectations to bolster their squad ahead of the MLC season.

Mitchell's absence poses challenges for Texas, who had pinned hopes on his all-round abilities. Despite his recent setbacks, Mitchell's experience and potential were seen as valuable assets for the team. However, his recurring injuries and subpar performances necessitated a strategic change, prompting the franchise to opt for Ahmad as a replacement. As the MLC season approaches, the Texas Super Kings will rely on Ahmad to fill the void left by Mitchell, hoping the Afghan spinner can make a significant impact and contribute positively to their campaign.

Following Daryl Mitchell's need for rehabilitation, the Texas Super Kings have turned to 19-year-old Noor Ahmad as his replacement. The left-arm wrist spinner boasts international experience, having featured in 10 T20 Internationals for Afghanistan where he has claimed seven wickets with an economy rate of 7.00. Noor Ahmad has also made his mark in various T20 leagues including SA20, ILT20, and IPL, accumulating 97 wickets from 96 matches with impressive figures of 5/11. Currently, he is part of Afghanistan's squad at a major tournament, showcasing his burgeoning talent and potential.

Mitchell's absence presents a significant challenge for the Texas Super Kings, who had planned around his contributions alongside key players like former South African captain Faf du Plessis, and New Zealand duo Devon Conway and Mitchell Santner for the upcoming MLC season. Despite this setback, the franchise has found solace in the acquisition of Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis. Recently crowned the top-ranked T20I all-rounder, Stoinis adds substantial firepower to Texas' already formidable batting lineup.

With Noor Ahmad stepping into Mitchell's role, Texas anticipates his youthful energy and spin expertise will complement their squad dynamics effectively. The team's strategy now pivots towards integrating Ahmad seamlessly into their plans, leveraging his talent to maintain competitiveness throughout the MLC season.

Texas Super Kings Squad

Faf du Plessis (c), Devon Conway, Mitchell Santner, Calvin Savage, Dwayne Bravo, Milind Kumar, Cameron Stevenson, Zia Shahzad, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Mohammad Mohsin, Zia ul Haq, Joshua Tromp, Raj Nannan, Noor Ahmad, Aaron Hardie, Marcus Stoinis, Aiden Markram, Naveen-ul-Haq.