IPL 2021: Ajit Agarkar explains Riley Meredith’s Ineffective Bowling For The Punjab Kings
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Riley Meredith
The Indian Premier League is one of the most difficult T20 tournaments in the world. Furthermore, the growing success and competition make it more challenging for all, including established players. Riley Meredith is yet to prove his worth to Punjab Kings in the three games he has played so far in the IPL 2021.
Riley Meredith, an uncapped Australian fast bowler, was signed for a whopping Rs 8 crore by Punjab Kings. Meredith is the most expensive uncapped international player signed at an auction, joining fellow Australian Jhye Richardson at Kings. Meredith impressed everyone in the BBL 2020-21 season as he grabbed 16 wickets at an economy of 7.82. But he has been unable to perform for Punjab Kings in the IPL. At an average of 52.5, the Australian pacer has only taken two wickets. He’s still been a costly bowler so far, with an economy of 10.5 per over.
‘Punjab Kings could have used Riley Meredith better in the last game’ – Ajit Agarkar
Riley Meredith’s woes in the IPL 2021 have been discussed by former India pacer Ajit Agarkar, who explains why, amid his disappointing returns, he manages to play ahead of Chris Jordan for the Punjab Kings.
Ajit Agarkar told ESPNcricinfo that the Indian conditions haven’t been kind to the pacer. Riley Meredith is under ‘enormous pressure’ in the IPL, according to Agarkar, who noted that unlike in the BBL, batting-friendly wickets, dew, and the world’s best batsmen in the opposition ranks have placed Riley Meredith under a lot of pressure.
“See, they have signed him after paying such a huge amount then there must be some x-factor. It has not come to the fore till now, although he bowled some quick bouncers in the last game. This is the harsh reality of IPL. It is a very difficult tournament because you play against world-class players, under immense pressure and wickets are good for batting as well. These are not Australian pitches where the right length is a bit different.”
“He has the ability but he is feeling the heat of playing against the world’s best batsmen. I don’t think changing him would have made the difference,” said Ajit Agarkar.
More than Meredith’s personal flaws, according to Agarkar, his team’s use of him is inaccurate. Chris Jordan’s poor performance in the previous IPL prompted Punjab Kings to rope in Riley Meredith and Jhye Richardson this year.
“He was brought to bowl in the 11th over when the batsmen were set and dew had settled so was under even more pressure, especially being a new player… At the moment, he is looking short of experience about which bowl to deliver when. More than that, I feel Punjab Kings could have used him better. I don’t think Chris Jordan performed very well for them that’s why they bid aggressively for Jhye Richardson and Meredith in the auction,” quoted Ajit Agarkar.
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Mohamed Azhar
(370 Articles Published)