Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) have spent huge amount on West Indies fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell at the Indian Premier League (IPL) Auction 2020 in Kolkata to acquire his services for the upcoming 13th edition of the tournament on Thursday (December 29).
The Punjab based franchise was left with no better option after Pat Cummins (15.5 CR) and Chris Morris (10 CR) both were sold to KKR and RCB respectively. Eventually, the franchise went all out for Cottrell for a whopping Rs 8.5 crore to win a bidding war against the Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals in the recently concluded IPL 2020 auction, where he came with a base price of Rs 50 lakh.
However, there is no doubt about Cottrell's fast bowling and his ability to scalp crucial wickets in white-ball cricket, but Gautam Gambhir, former Indian opener, doesn’t think the West Indian’s bowling deserves that hefty price-tag in the tournament.
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Further, Gambhir reckoned that the KXIP Director of Cricket Operations Anil Kumble picked the Caribbean cricketer in desperation as they were not left with many options at the time in the auction, saying Cottrell proved expensive for the Punjab side.
Cottrell grabbed eyeballs with his great outing in the 2019 World Cup as he had emerged as West Indies' highest wicket-taker after picking up 12 wickets from nine games at an economy rate of 5.85.
Gambhir said on Cricket Live exclusively on Star Sports: “There were no better options, Pat Cummins and Chris Morris both were sold out - they tried hard to get (Chris) Morris but it didn’t work. I still don’t think Sheldon Cottrell has enough quality to become an 8.5 cr bowler.”
Former KKR and DC opener signed off by saying, “He’s still to build on accuracy and speed yet that he can bowl at 145 speed; he can look at putting cutters but that might not help at Mohali. I think Anil Kumble picked him up in desperation since they couldn’t get Chris Morris or Pat Cummins. If the demand is high and supply is low, these things happen.”
Noteworthy, Cottrell became the second most expensive bowler after Pat Cummins (15.5 crores) in the IPL Auction 2020.
(With IANS Inputs)
