Josh Little ‘delighted’ to be in Hardik Pandya camp as first Irishman in IPL | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Defending champions Gujarat Titans shelled out Rs 4.40 crore to get Josh Little in their camp, making the fast bowler first Ireland player to bag an Indian Premier League (IPL) deal before the players’ auction ahead of the 2023 season concluded on Friday. And he is ‘delighted’ to be a ‘Titan’.
“I’m delighted to have been signed by the defending champions, the Gujarat Titans, and look forward to playing under Hardik Pandya within such a high quality squad,” said the 23-year-old Little in his statement released by Cricket Ireland.
“I am also looking forward to working with coach Ashish Nehra and would like to thank the management team at the Titans for believing in me,” he added.

The Hardik-led Gujarat Titans won the IPL trophy in their debut season earlier this year.
“I have loved playing international cricket for Ireland – and that will always remain my priority, but to be able to learn and play in the IPL will be an incredible opportunity and thanks to Cricket Ireland for supporting me in this,” Little, who has played 22 ODIs and 53 T20Is since making his international debut in 2016, said.
He served as a net bowler for Chennai Super Kings last year.
Earlier this yeat at the T20 World Cup, Little claimed a hat-trick against New Zealand in Adelaide.

“We are delighted for Josh and wish him well in the IPL next year. Josh is a hard-working and dedicated athlete who has come up through the Irish system,” Cricket Ireland’s High Performance Director Richard Holdsworth said.
“He has been an essential part of the Irish set-up for several years now and we believe his development will only accelerate further through involvement in the IPL.”
Little, however, has experience of franchise-based T20 leagues having played in The Hundred and Lanka Premier League, besides getting picked in the draft at the Pakistan Super League.
(With agency inputs)