Akash ambani

Kolkata, Dec 19:  Reigning champions Mumbai Indians owner Akash Ambani on Thursday conceded that releasing as many as 12 players was the most difficult part ahead of Thursday's auction.

MI, which has won record four IPL titles, released 12 players and retained 18 which helped them win its fourth IPL title earlier this year. The likes of Australian fast bowler Jason Behrendorff and Alzarri Joseph of West Indies, New Zealand's Adam Milne, Beuran Hendricks and Ben Cutting were released.