Australia’s uncapped fast-bowler Riley Meredith was among the hot properties sold in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 auction on Thursday (February 18) in Chennai.

Punjab Kings made the highest bid for an overseas uncapped player in the IPL auction to buy Meredith for Rs 8 crores following an intense bidding war with Delhi Capitals for the forthcoming IPL 2021 and even the Aussie star felt it was “fake” after ended up being among the expensive bowlers.

Meredith entered the IPL auction 2021 with a base price of Rs 40 lakh – the same amount with registered last year but went unsold, though this time, he stunned all by getting 20 times of his base price contract with Punjab Kings on Tuesday and the youngsters didn’t expect such sum.

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After cracking a big deal with Punjab, the 24-year-old pacer said he “wasn't expecting too much” and he was “dumbfounded”, as the pacer was hoping for a bid or two at the IPL auction 2021. Meredith drew attention with raw pace in BBL 10 where he picked up 16 wickets for Hobart Hurricanes.

Meredith said after the auction: “It was pretty outrageous really, wasn't expecting too much going on. Was hopeful for a bid or two. It got a bit out of control, luckily enough a couple of teams doing a bit of bidding and it was pretty amazing to go that high.”

However, Meredith, who can bowl express speeds above 150 kmph, was aware that fast bowlers were in demand and were expected to go for a good price but not that outrageous. He is now hoping to grab the opportunity with both hands as he is eagerly waiting for his IPL 14 debut.  

The pacer further added, “There was a bit of talk before the auction about fast bowlers being in demand this year. It was a good time to not be allocated to a franchise. Bit of right place, right time. I'm sure it will be a learning curve and hoping to grab it with both hands.”

He signed off, “I probably only got a few hours sleep. I was on Facetime with my girlfriend and couldn't believe what was happening. Like it was fake, to be honest, we were pretty dumbfounded.”

(With India Today Inputs)