Internet Desk: India’s star pacer Ishant Sharma was picked by 2014 finalists Kings XI Punjab just a day before the start of the Indian Premier League Season 10.
Currently, India’s senior-most pacer in the Test squad (77 matches), Ishant went unsold at the IPL Players’ auction in February where his base price was a whopping Rs 2 crore.
His name came up twice but none of the eight franchises picked him, mainly due to his high base price.
However, it is understood that Kings XI Punjab, whose pace attack needs a bit of experience, got Ishant on board.
Over the years, Ishant has played for a number of franchises starting from Kolkata Knight Riders, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rising Pune Supergiants.
The 28-year-old has 88 wickets from the 107 Twenty20 matches he has played and has an economy rate of 7.75 with best bowling figures of 5 for 12.
Ishant’s displays with the ball in the three Tests against Australia in the recently ended Border-Gavaskar Trophy received huge praise though he took just three wickets. The lanky bowler had a forgettable outing in the IPL last season, picking up just three wickets in the four matches he played for the newly-formed Rising Pune Supergiant, which came at an economy rate of 9.86. He was subsequently released by the franchise.