New Delhi: The hurdles for Punjab Kings have increased ahead of the start of the second leg of Indian Premier League season 14. Two Australian players have refused to join the Punjab Kings team in the UAE. Though Punjab Kings has searched the replacement of one of these player, search for the other is underway.
According to the information revealed, Jay Richardson and Riley Meredith will not join Punjab Kings in UAE. Both these players were bought by the team earlier this year for a huge sum of money. Jay Richardson was paid Rs 14 crore while Meredith was paid Rs 8 crore.
"Jay Richardson and Riley Meredith have decided to stay out of the remaining IPL 14 matches," said a Punjab Kings official. We are looking for replacements of both these players. Replacements will be decided upon the advice of coach Anil Kumble.''
Nathan Ellis joins Punjab Kings
Punjab Kings, however, signed Australia's Nathan Ellis as a replacement on Thursday. Ellis recently came into the limelight with a hat-trick in his debut match. No information has been revealed about the price at which Ellis was bought by Punjab Kings. Although currently Punjab Kings are still looking for their second replacement.
Punjab Kings, however, did not succeed in doing well in the 14th season of the IPL despite spending huge sums of money on Jay Richardson and Riley Meredith. Punjab Kings have won just 3 matches out of the 8 played in IPL 14. Making it to the playoffs will be extremely difficult for the Punjab Kings. Punjab Kings will have to win 5 out of their remaining 6 matches to make it to the next round.