Joshua Little created history on Friday when he was selected by the Gujarat Titans at the IPL 2023 auction, becoming the first Irish cricketer to earn an IPL contract.
Little joined the CSK team as a net bowler last season, but he left the team after being given no opportunities. On Friday, Little finally succeeded in signing his first IPL deal with the reigning champion Gujarat Titans (GT) for the IPL 2023.
Little’s hat-trick in their T20 World Cup loss to New Zealand in Adelaide in November was a noteworthy accomplishment.
Little expressed his delight to participate in the IPL 16 under the leadership of Hardik Pandya and coach Ashish Nehra, thanking the GT for their belief in him and giving him a “incredible opportunity” to play in the prestigious T20 competition after signing his first IPL contract.
Notably, GT purchased the 23-year-old pacer’s services for Rs 4.4 crore (approximately €460,000) on Friday during the IPL 2023 auction in Kochi. Since making his Ireland debut in 2016, he has participated in 52 T20 matches and 22 One Day Internationals.
Little said in Cricket Ireland statement: “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. 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.”
The star pacer continued, “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.”