IPL 2021: Punjab Kings rope in Australian bowler Nathan Elis ahead of second phase in UAE

IPL 2021: Punjab Kings rope in Australian bowler Nathan Elis ahead of second phase in UAE: Punjab Kings (PKBS) have signed Australia’s right arm pacer Nathan Elis ahead of the second leg of IPL 2021 in the UAE. The red brigade had to contract with Nathan after Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith – have been ruled out for the UAE leg of the tournament.

“We were not aware of the fitness status of Jhye and Riley till yesterday (August 18). That they cannot be part of the IPL was known only after the Cricket Australia press conference. We have signed Elis as a replacement player. We will announce the second replacement in a day or two,” PKBS CEO Satish Menon confirmed to Cricbuzz

The franchisee had to take such a step as the fitness status of Jhye and Riley was quite dicey. Further, the team would be finalizing the other player in a day or two’s time.

“We are in talks with a few players. Anil (Kumble, the head coach) will finalise soon,”  informed PKBS CEO.

Also read: IPL 2021: Punjab Kings sign Nathan Elis as Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith ruled out of Phase 2

Nathan Elis’s rise to glory

The 26-year-old pacer glared the limelight when he debuted for Australia in T20I against Bangladesh overseas in August. Nathan claimed a hat trick right in his debut T20I appearance for Australia. Further, in the two matches that he played for his side, he claimed five wickets and returned with a noteworthy economy of 6.25. The pacer has also been included in the national side as a travelling reserve for the Twenty20 World Cup.

IPL 2021 Phase 2: PKBS schedule

Punjab Kings finished third from bottom in the IPL 2020 edition with just six wins in the group round. Interestingly, they are currently placed at the same spot – third from bottom.

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