IPL 2021: ‘He looked like a school kid to me’ – Sunil Gavaskar on his first encounter with Jhye Richardson

IPL 2021: ‘He looked like a school kid to me’ – Sunil Gavaskar on his first encounter with Jhye Richardson

Sunil Gavaskar and Jhye Richardson

Punjab Kings (PBKS) pace bowler Jhye Richardson made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut during the match against Rajasthan Royals (RR). The Punjab-based franchise spent a whopping INR 14 crores for Richardson during the IPL 2021 auctions to avail the services of the Australian speedster.

Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar recalled his first interaction with Jhye Richardson. Gavaskar said that he first saw Richardson in the Dubai to Mumbai flight about 8-10 days ago. The cricketer-turned-commentator said that he looked like a school kid in his shorts before he confirmed the things with his co-commentator Simon Doull.

Also Read | IPL 2021: Virender Sehwag hails Rajasthan Royals youngster Chetan Sakariya on brilliant debut against Punjab Kings

“I was sitting next to Jhye Richardson in the Dubai to Mumbai flight about 8-10 days ago. He looked like a school kid to me, in his shorts. I did not recognize him. The aircraft was pretty empty. He sat one row behind me because of social distancing. Simon Doull was on the flight. I said to him – you were talking to him, who was he – and he told me it’s Jhye Richardson. And I thought he was someone who had just come out of school,” said Gavaskar as quoted by HT.

PBKS’ bowling attack looks better with Richardson and Meredith: Gavaskar

Punjab Kings
Punjab Kings

PBKS (earlier Kings XI Punjab) failed to leave an impact with their fast bowling department. As a result, they added Riley Meredith (INR 8 cr) as another expensive pick in their bowling unit for the 14th edition of the tournament. Gavaskar said that with the emergence of these two Aussies, Punjab looks a better side now.

“If you look at his pace attack with Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith – he has a better pace attack than he had last time around. That will make the difference.

“But if he (Richardson) bowls well, and we have seen him bowl for Australia, that will be the thrust that both these bowlers (Riley Meredith and Jhye Richardson) can provide them, that will be exactly what Punjab would be looking for,” concluded Gavaskar.

Also Read | IPL 2021: ‘I don’t think it’s worrisome, you will very soon see Hardik Pandya bowl,’ says Zaheer Khan