Joshua Little, who has grow to be the primary cricketer from Ireland to land an IPL deal, mentioned taking part in within the Indian T20 league is an “incredible opportunity”, and he appears to be like ahead to work with Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya and coach Ashish Nehra.
Defending champions Gujarat Titans availed the providers of the 23-year-old for Rs 4.4 crore on the IPL public sale in Kochi on Friday.
The Titans, led by Hardik and coached by former India pacer Nehra, received the league in its debut season.
“I am delighted to have been signed by the defending champion, the Gujarat Titans, and look forward to playing under Hardik Pandya within such a high-quality squad,” Little was quoted as saying by Cricket Ireland.
“I am also looking forward to working with coach Ashish Nehra and would like to thank the management team at the Titans for believing in me,” he added.
The left-arm seamer made his worldwide debut in 2016 and has since performed 22 ODIs and 53 T20Is.
“I have loved playing international cricket for Ireland – and that will always remain my priority, but to be able to learn and play in the IPL will be an incredible opportunity and thanks to Cricket Ireland for supporting me in this.” Little had served as a web bowler for Chennai Super Kings final 12 months.
He had claimed a memorable hat-trick towards New Zealand in Ireland’s T20 World Cup loss in Adelaide earlier this 12 months. He had dismissed skipper Kane Williamson, James Neesham and Mitchell Santner within the nineteenth over.
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“We are delighted for Josh and wish him well in the IPL next year. Josh is a hard-working and dedicated athlete who has come up through the Irish system,” Cricket Ireland’s High-Performance Director Richard Holdsworth mentioned.
“He has been an essential part of the Irish set-up for several years now and we believe his development will only accelerate further through involvement in the IPL.” Little has plied his commerce in a number of franchise leagues comparable to England’s The Hundred and Lanka Premier League. He was additionally picked up within the Pakistan Super League draft not too long ago.