BBL 2020-21: Shane Warne backs Peter Hatzoglou to bag a lucrative deal in the upcoming IPL auction

Melbourne Renegades, having lost 10 out of their 13 matches, aren’t left with any chance of qualifying for the 2020-21 Big Bash League (BBL) playoffs. In fact, Aaron Finch and Co are set to end as the cellar dwellers even if they beat the Hobart Hurricanes in their last league game on Tuesday. Amidst their shoddy campaign, one player, who’s impressed a lot, is leg-spinner Peter Hatzoglou.

The 22-year-old made his T20 debut in the ongoing BBL itself and has 16 wickets from 12 games at an economy rate of 8.48. The tweaker has caught the eyes of a number of experts, including spin-wizard Shane Warne. The former Australian bowler was in awe of Hatzoglou’s performance and even said that he can go on to bag a lucrative deal in the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction.

I’ve been impressed with Peter Hatzoglou: Shane Warne

“I think there would be a lot of interest in Hatzoglou around the world. Especially in the IPL and tournaments like that. I bet you he gets picked up in the IPL, the way he’s bowled. A lot of the franchises over there will look at him and go ‘Wow, he could be a real handful in India’” Warne was quoted as saying on Fox Sports.

Hatzoglou has come up the ranks over the last few years. Three years ago, he took part in third-grade premier cricket for the Melbourne University. For the time being, he has gotten to rub shoulders with the likes of Finch, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Nabi, and Rilee Rossouw among others.

Warne said that though he doesn’t give a lot of revs on the ball, the Young Turk has the skills to ruffle a batsman. “I’ve been impressed with this guy. I think the way he bowls, the way he bowls it into the pitch, he gives it a fearful fizz in his hand before he bowls.

“He’s not a big spinner of the ball, but he does bowl out the back of the hand so he does bowl leg breaks. He can get the occasional one to straighten. He’s looking to bowl the ball fast, into the pitch, and hit the top of the stumps,” he stated.