IPL 2021: Mitchell Johnson urges franchises to pick Josh Inglis in auction

Ahead of the IPL auction for the upcoming 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on February 18 in Chennai, Australia’s quick Mitchell Johnson urged the franchises to bid for wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis. Johnson seemed highly impressed with the 25-year-old’s talent and stint in the just-concluded 2020-21 edition of Big Bash League (BBL).

Playing for Perth Scorchers in BBL 2020-21, Josh Inglis had amassed 413 runs at an average of 34.42, and had a healthy strike rate of 140. The batsman is capable of batting anywhere in the batting order be it at the top or the middle and had also played a key role in helping his team Perth Scorchers reach the final of the marquee tournament.

Josh has registered himself at a base price of INR 25 lakh and can have one or two franchises going behind him. However, Mitchell Johnson doesn’t want Inglis to essay the role of a reserve player in IPL as he wants the wicketkeeper-batsman to have some real experience by featuring in the playing XI and rubbing his shoulders with the greats of the game.

I reckon Josh Inglis has got something (special): Ricky Ponting

“He’s an absolutely amazing talent, and I’d love to see him go and get some experience over there. If he does go over, I don’t want him to just sit on the bench. I’d love to see him play because I think he’s a great talent,” Johnson told The Fast And The Curious Podcast.

Apart from Mitchell Johnson, Josh Inglis has also managed to impress former Australian captain and head coach of IPL franchise Delhi Capitals (DC), Ricky Ponting. During the BBL 2020-21, Ponting had heaped praises on the young right-handed batsman saying that he has got something special and has a good command over his game.

“I reckon Inglis has got something (special); He plays spin beautifully. He played Rashid Khan on his ear, so there’s that side of it. And he’s batted at the top of the order in first-class cricket for WA, so there obviously must be a good technique behind what he can do in the white-ball stuff, ” Ponting stated last month.