West Indies pacer Sheldon Cottrell was on Thursday snapped up by Kings XI Punjab for a whopping Rs 8.5 crore in the Indian Premier League auction. However, former India opener Gautam Gambhir reckoned the Punjab based franchise’s Director Of Cricket Operations Anil Kumble picked the Caribbean cricketer in desperation as they were not left with much options.

Cottrell had a great outing in the 2019 World Cup in England as he had emerged as West Indies’ highest wicket-taker after picking up 12 wickets from nine games at an economy rate of 5.85.

“There were no better options, Pat Cummins and Chris Morris both were sold out they tried hard to get Morris but it didn’t work. I still don’t think Sheldon Cottrell has enough quality to become an 8.5 cr bowler. He’s still to build on accuracy and speed yet that he can bowl at 145 speed; he can look at putting cutters but that might not help at Mohali.”

“I think Anil Kumble picked him up in desperation since they couldn’t get Chris Morris or Pat Cummins. If the demand is high and supply is low, these things happen,” he added.