'Unsold' Ishant Sharma picked up by Kings XI Punjab for IPL 10

Photo: BCCI

New Delhi: Ishant Sharma has been picked up by Kings XI Punjab as a replacement for injured Murali Vijay for the tenth edition of IPL. 

The Indian speedster, who went unsold in the auction, mainly because of his higher base price (INR 2 crore) has now found an IPL team on the eve of the tournament. 

The 28-year old seamer will replace Vijay, who has been sidelined because of a shoulder injury. 

Ishant represented Rising Pune Supergiant in the last edition of IPL, playing only 4 matches and picking up 3 wickets. He was subsequently released by the newly formed franchise for the current edition. 

The tall fast bowler, who played a major role in India’s triumphant home season did not find any takers in the auction despite being called up twice. 

The Punjab based franchise, which already has fast bowlers like Matt Henry, Varun Aaron and Mohit Sharma up their ranks have decided to bolster their pace battery even more. Ishant will face a tough challenge to cement his place in the playing XI which also has new faces like left-arm pacer T Natarajan, who was the highest paid uncapped player in the auctions.

Kings XI start their campaign against Rising Pune Supergiant on April 8 at Indore.