IPL 2021 Auction | Punjab Kings (PBKS) pick up Jhye Richardson for a record INR 14 Crores

Jhye Richardson also became the subject of some intense bidding between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings and record cash was spent on the player. The Australian bowler joined his national compatriot Glenn Maxwell to become the joint fifth most expensive IPL player of all time, getting sold for INR 14 crores to Punjab Kings!

The 24-year-old had a base price of INR 1.5 crores in this year’s auction but he’ll be pleased to see the demand his name generated in the auction. Since making his debut for Australia, the fast bowler has played two Tests, 13 ODIs and nine T20Is. He has 9 wickets in T20I cricket and has scalped 24 wickets in the 50-over format. Jhye Richardson has an economy rate of 8.44 in T20Is and is definitely a work in progress.

Also Read: IPL 2021 Auction | Complete Punjab Kings (PBKS) Squad and Final list of Players

The main interest in Richardson arrived because of his form in the Big Bash League this year. He enjoyed a dream season for Perth Scorchers and picked up 29 wickets. The youngster also had an impressive average of 16.31. In T20 cricket, Jhye Richardson has picked up 78 wickets from 62 matches.

Jhye Richardson could prove to be a valuable addition to the Punjab Kings franchise. He could potentially form an interesting partnership with Mohammad Shami and even the likes of Chris Jordan and Arshdeep Singh. Ahead of the auction, KL Rahul had outlined that having a fast bowler ‘is exciting.’ That missing element, combined with the fact that Punjab Kings have a massive purse to spend ensured that Jhye Richardson would be sold for such a high price. Whether he lives up to that billing or not, we’ll find out soon when IPL returns.