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PBKS vs KKR: Who Is Xavier Bartlett, the Pacer Making His IPL Debut For Punjab?
Follow UsThe 26-year-old right arm pacer from Australia has played nine international games for Australia
Xavier Bartlett, the 26-year-old right-arm pacer from Adelaide, is making his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut for the Punjab Kings against the Kolkata Knight Riders at Mullanpur on April 15 (Tuesday).
Bartlett has already made his debut for Australia after impressing in the Big Bash League for the Brisbane Heat. He has taken 60 wickets in 48 innings at an average of 22.6 and an economy of 8.49 in Australia's trademark T20 league.
A stellar BBL season in 2023/24 helped him make it to the national side when he was selected for home ODIs against the West Indies. He was splendid on his international debut and picked two four-wicket hauls in the two ODIs he played. He averaged just 4.75 with the ball at an economy of 4.75.
He was absolutely brilliant in the T20Is, taking 11 wickets in seven games for Australia at an average of 14.72. He also has great numbers at the death in the BBL, picking 17 wickets in that phase, which is the most for any bowler across the last two editions.
Known for his ability to swing the ball late, he also has a very good off-cutter that he uses at the death. Apart from his cricket, he is a medal-winning swimmer in Australia at the state level, with a speciality in backstroke. His family also has a background in sports, with his father Kym having played in the Australian Rules Football state league in South Australia.
With his and Josh Inglis’s inclusion in the playing XI today, Punjab Kings have now become the franchise to feature the joint-most number of Australian players in the IPL—24.