IPL 2018 Auction:  Auction price a “dream come true” for Andrew Tye

What's the story?

Australian fast bowler Andrew Tye, who is hailed as an expert in the shorter formats of the game, has confessed that he was surprised to be picked for a high price by the Kings XI Punjab side at the IPL 2018 auctions.

" It's been a whirlwind tour from four or five years ago when I wasn't even a professional – so [it is] unbelievable and a dream come true," Tye told reporters in Sydney.

In case you didn't know..

The 31-year-old pacer from Western Australia was snapped up by the Mohali-based franchise for a hefty amount of INR 7.2 crore.

In the past, Tye has represented the Chennai Super Kings and the Gujarat Lions in the IPL. His T20 international debut came against India at Melbourne in early 2016, while two years later, in January 2018, he stepped out as an ODI debutant against England at the same ground.

In just his fourth match, Tye claimed a five-wicket haul to bowl England out for 259 following figures of 5/46 in the first international match at the newly-constructed Perth Stadium. The Australian also boasts of an envious T20 bowling average of 20.06, having grabbed two five-fors in the format, one of which came recently for the Perth Scorchers against the Melbourne Stars during the ongoing Big Bash League 2017-18.

The heart of the matter

Tye has been included in a young Australian squad to be led by David Warner for the first T20 international tri-series featuring Australia, New Zealand and England, which will be played on either side of the Tasman Sea.

He also praised an injury-prone Chris Lynn, who has come under fire for a recent past full of repeated injuries. “He's hitting them pretty well, he's looking as good as ever. He's ready to take down some bowlers."

What's next?

The T20 tri-series begins on February 3 with the first match between Australia and New Zealand at Sydney, with the final set for February 21 at Auckland.

Author's Take

Considering Tye's ability to fox batsmen in T20 cricket – he has sharp knuckle balls and back of the hand slower balls in his bag – it was not entirely surprising that he attracted such a high price in the IPL auctions. Also, his death over abilities which can contain batsmen besides removing big-hitters can come in very handy.