IPL 2021: Punjab Kings Sign Nathan Ellis As Replacement Player For Remaining Season

Punjab Kings on Friday roped in Nathan Ellis for the second leg of the Indian Premier League 2021. He came in as a replacement player as both Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith won’t be available for the second phase of the tournament.

The development was confirmed by Cricbuzz. The report also added that Australian duo – Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith will not be available for the remaining part of Indian Premier League, which will be played in UAE.

Nathan Ellis got limelight after taking a hat-trick on his T20I debut a couple of weeks ago against Bangladesh in Dhaka. He has played 7 first-class games, 11 List-A matches, and 33 T20s for Australia.

KL Rahul-led Punjab Kings didn’t witness an ideal season in the first half as they could manage only 3 victories from 8 games and are currently sitting at the sixth position on the points table.

Punjab Kings’ CEO, Satish Menon confirmed the addition of Nathan Ellis as one of the two replacements to Cricbuzz. He also said that team’s head coach Anil Kumble is currently looking for the second replacement and are in talks with a few players.

“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,” the franchise CEO, Satish Menon, told Cricbuzz.

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

Punjab Kings will kick off the second phase of the IPL 2021 against Rajasthan Royals on September 21 in Dubai.