IPL 2018: Ricky Ponting predicts 'big payday' for one uncapped Aussie in the upcoming auction

The upcoming edition of the IPL promises to reach new heights of grandeur with as many as 1122 players taking part in the IPL auction. The mega auctions are slated to take place later this month on 27th and 28th. And ahead of the much-anticipated auctions, recently appointed Delhi Daredevils head-coach and batting legend Ricky Ponting revealed a “big payday” is awaiting an uncapped Australian.

Ponting, who is known for unearthing talents like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya during his stint as the coach of Mumbai Indians has closely followed an Australian player emerging as a Twenty20 star. The batsman who is making headlines in Australia is D’Arcy Short, who plays for the Hobart Hurricanes. He has already broken the record for most runs in a single Big Bash League (BBL), which is currently underway in Australia.

Speaking about the brewing talent, Ponting told Cricket Australia’s (CA) website, “Whatever he goes for will be a big payday for him (given) he’s put himself into the (IPL 2018) auction at base price (about $AUD 40,000 – Rs 20 lakh).” The 43-year-old added, “Looking back now, he probably wishes he had put himself in a little bit more. But his base price shouldn’t matter – he’ll go for big money, or decent money, I’d imagine,” he added.

Short will lead to a bidding war in the auctions

Short is yet to play international cricket but could soon debut in the shortest format of the game. He has so far played six first-class, 12 List A (50 overs) and 16 T20 matches. The 27-year-old left-hander has amassed 465 runs from seven matches with a highest of 122 not out. And he has impressed Ponting, who is now Australian T20 team’s assistant coach.

Ponting feels with a lot of IPL coaches watching Short in the current BBL, it could trigger a bidding war in Bengaluru next weekend.