Mumbai: Mumbai Indians have made the first move ahead of the forthcoming IPL season by purchasing Dinesh Karthik from Kings XI Punjab.
Karthik is being exchanged for R Sathish who will move to the Punjab camp.
The Mumbai franchise has been hobbled by the absence of a capable wicket keeper and the experienced Karthik is expected to plug that gap.
Karthik had played for Delhi Daredevils in the first three seasons of the IPL before moving to Kings XI Punjab last year.
He was unable to keep wickets for Punjab, however, as skipper Adam Gilchrist preferred to don the gloves himself.
According to BCCI sources, Mumbai Indians shelled out the highest ever sum for a player from another franchise. The exact amount remains undisclosed but is believed to be over $2 million.
The ongoing window for trading between IPL franchises will end on January 20. There will be a second window following the auction on February 4.
