IPL 2021 Auction: Ashish Nehra disappointed at Umesh Yadav’s price tag

The price at which Indian speedster Umesh Yadav was sold in the IPL 2021 auctions has certainly surprised a few people. Earlier, Gautam Gambhir was ‘absolutely shocked’ to find that Yadav was bought for a price of just 1 Crore.

And now, Ashish Nehra has echoed Gambhir’s opinion. The former Indian left-arm speedster stated that even though the likes of Kyle Jamieson and Jhye Richardson had done well for New Zealand and Perth respectively, they are yet to prove their worth. Nehra also expressed his surprise at Yadav being bought for a low sum as compared to the foreign recruits who went for a massive sum of money. This is what Nehra had to say.

“No offence here, but when you talk about Jhye Richardson, Kyle Jamieson – he has done well for New Zealand in Test cricket. Jhye Richardson has done well for Perth, but somebody like Umesh Yadav, when you talk about Indian fast bowlers, going for 1 crore and these foreigner guys, unproven guys,” said Nehra told Star Sports.

I can’t understand that: Ashish Nehra about Umesh Yadav’s price tag

Nehra also said that the likes of Mitchell Starc and Lasith Malinga were bowlers who did well in several leagues across the world, and stressed on the fact that Jamieson and Richardson were still ‘new guys’. Nehra concluded by stating that he just could not understand how such an experienced pacer like Yadav was pocketed for just 1 Crore.

“Like earlier, I said Mitchell Starc, Lasith Malinga when you see these guys are doing well for the leagues around the world, but over here you are talking about new guys, and Umesh Yadav an experienced guy going only for ₹1 crore, I can’t understand that,” concluded Nehra.

Umesh Yadav is a veteran in IPL cricket and has featured in a whopping 121 matches. The speedster has also picked up 119 wickets in IPL cricket and has been a regular in the IPL for a decade now. On the other hand, Jamieson has not played a single IPL match and has played only 4 T20Is for New Zealand. Jhye Richardson too has played only 9 T20Is for Australia and is yet to play a single match in the IPL.