'Pat is a top-quality bowler, but...': Gillespie questions Cummins' IPL price tag

NEW DELHI: Former Australian fast bowler

Jason Gillespie

has expressed his doubts about the high price tag attached to

Pat Cummins

in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Gillespie believes that T20 cricket is not Cummins' strongest format, but he does support

Mitchell Starc

's record-breaking deal.

Cummins, who is the Australian captain, was involved in a bidding war between the Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chennai Super Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad, eventually securing a contract worth a staggering Rs 20.50 crore.

'Pat is a top bowler, but…'
Gillespie, speaking on SEN Radio, said, "Pat is undoubtedly a top-quality bowler and a great leader, we've seen that. However, I don't believe T20 is his best format. In my opinion, he is a Test bowler, and Test cricket is where he excels."
This is not the first time that Cummins has attracted a hefty price at the IPL auction. Ahead of the 2020 edition, the Kolkata Knight Riders paid Rs 15.5 crore for his services.
"He is a good T20 bowler, no doubt about it. But that price tag is enormous," added Gillespie, highlighting the magnitude of Cummins' deal.

Starc - the most expensive IPL player
Shortly after Cummins secured his contract, Starc surpassed him to become the most expensive player in IPL history.
The Kolkata Knight Riders secured Starc's services for a staggering Rs 24.75 crore. Starc, who has typically prioritized international cricket over the IPL, has played only two seasons in the tournament, taking 34 wickets in 27 matches at an average of 20.38.

'A fantastic acquisition'
"I believe Starc is a fantastic acquisition. We all acknowledge that it is a significant sum of money, but the IPL is a highly lucrative tournament... I am absolutely thrilled for Mitch," Gillespie said.
"This just goes to show the value that teams place on left-arm fast bowlers and left-arm swing bowlers who can bowl at pace."

(With inputs from PTI)