IPL 2021: Jhye Richardson reveals the advice that he received from Anil Kumble

Jhye Richardson was bought for an astronomical sum in the 2021 IPL auctions. The Punjab Kings (PBKS) side shelled out a colossal INR 14 Crores to procure the services of the Australian pacer. The 24-year-old has not played even a single match in the IPL thus far.

And now, Richardson has opened up on the advice that he received from Indian cricket legend and Punjab Kings (PBKS) Head Coach Anil Kumble. Richardson stated that he started putting pressure on himself due to his huge price tag. When he went to Kumble for advice, the Head Coach told Richardson that he was not picked for the price tag, but for what he does on the cricket field.

The Australian has revealed that it was important for him to hear these words from Kumble. Richardson also added that the Head Coach knew about his capability.

“I started putting pressure on myself (thinking about the price tag). But I had a good conversation with Anil yesterday, and he said, you know, ‘we didn’t pick you up for the price tag; we just picked you up for your services and what you do on the cricket field.’ For me, that was really important to hear, to know that the coach has picked me up for a reason and knows what I’m capable of,” said Richardson as quoted by the Times of India.

Jhye Richardson reveals that he will not worry about his price tag

Jhye Richardson added that he will not worry about his price tag, as he knows that the Head Coach wants him to perform to the best of his ability. The Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) pacer further revealed that he wants to go out and have fun, and he would just like to stand at the top of his mark and smile before bowling. Richardson concluded by stating that he smiles so that he can remind himself that T20 cricket is fun.

“The key to my game is to just go out and have fun. It’s easier said than done because you’re bowing to the best batsman in the world but for me if I can just stand at the top of my mark, and smile, that is a big one for me. I actually started doing that (smile) during the Big Bash at the top of my mark, just to put a smile on the top there just to remind myself every ball that T20 is fun,” concluded Jhye Richardson.

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) will play their first match of the 2021 IPL edition on 12th April 2021 against the Rajasthan Royals.