Sunil Gavaskar was on the same Dubai-to-Mumbai flight with Jhye Richardson.
Australia fast bowler Jhye Richardson made his IPL debut for Punjab Kings (PBKS) against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Monday (April 12). They have bought him for INR 14 crore in the IPL 2021 auction.
Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, who's part of the IPL 2021 commentary panel, recalled the encounter with Richardson during Dubai to Mumbai flight. He said the 24-year-old looked like a schoolboy to him.
"I was sitting next to Jhye Richardson in the Dubai to Mumbai flight about 8-10 days ago," Gavaskar recalled. "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," he further added.
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"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," he further said.
Punjab had struggled with their fast bowling unit last season. They have added Richardson and Riley Meredith into the side for the IPL 14. Gavaskar believes the two new addition would help KL Rahul this year.
"But Rahul who captained Punjab last time is more experienced than Sanju Samson. If you look at his pace attack with Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith - he has better pace attack than he had last time around. That will make the difference," he said.
"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," the 71-year-old added.