Dinesh Karthik to play for Mumbai Indians

Mumbai, Jan 6 (IBNS) The Indian Premier League (IPL) on Friday announced the first transfer of the 2012 Trading window.

Dinesh Karthik, wicketkeeper-batsman, will join the Mumbai Indians squad for the 2012 season of the tournament.

Karthik was acquired by the Kings XI Punjab in the 2011 IPL auction, and he played in all 14 of Kings XI's matches last season.

In the first three seasons of the IPL, he played 42 matches for the Delhi Daredevils.

Nita Ambani, owner of the Mumbai Indians franchise, said, "We are very pleased to add a player of Dinesh Karthik's calibre and specific skills to the Mumbai Indians squad as this addition will further strengthen our side."

The owners of Kings XI Punjab said, "Dinesh played an important role for Kings XI Punjab last season, but with our captain Adam Gilchrist donning the wicketkeeping gloves, we were unable to harness Dinesh's complete potential.

"Everybody at Kings XI Punjab wishes him the very best in his future endeavours."

"It looks like the 2012 Trading Window will be an active one as the franchises look to revise and strengthen their squads in advance of the Player Auction on 4 February 2012," Rajeev Shukla, Chairman, IPL, said.