The IPL 2024 mini-auction witnessed some life-changing deals and one among them was the Rs 10 crore-contract to Australia’s up-and-coming pacer Spencer Johnson. Spencer Johnson‘s name did not come up in the initial part of the auction when Starc and Cummins were triggering bidding wars. However, both Gujarat and Delhi, who had the biggest purses left for the last round of the auction, fought hard to secure the services of 28-year-old Spencer.
The bidding war intensified and Spencer Johnson was finally sold to the Titans for Rs 10 crore. The left-arm fast bowler Spencer Johnson, who can crank up pace in the range of 150 kph, was a surprise big purchase at the auction for IPL and was to take place especially in absence of Indian sensation Mohammad Shami for the Gujarat Titans (GT). Spencer Johnson became the fifth-most expensive Australian player to play in the season of IPL after Starc, Cummins, Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green.
Spencer Johnson shines in Indian Premier League debut
Gujarat left the cricket world stunned last year when they signed Spencer Johnson for $1.78 million following the tall quick’s debut season in the Big Bash League. And the 28-year-old repaid his fortune having delivered in the second last over to help Gujarat defeat the Mumbai Indians in a close clash.
The Mumbai Indians were trying to chase down Gujarat’s 6-186. Spencer Johnson came on in the 10th over and endured a nightmare first six balls. Dewald Brevis (46) and before India captain Rohit Sharma (43) blasted him to the boundary as he went for 17.
The game went down to the wire as Mumbai needed 27 off the last two overs with five wickets in hand. And young captain Shubman Gill risked backed Spencer Johnson with the second last over. Spencer Johnson looked in for a long night when Tilak Varma smashed him for six. However, the Aussie stormed back. Spencer Johnson dismissed Varma – who was caught in the deep – before following it up with a caught-and-bowled off a mistimed pull by Gerald Coetzee.
The over went for just eight runs, which allowed Gujarat to secure the match in the next over and Spencer Johnson had a debut to start his IPL career. Following his heroics, Spencer Johnson was in all praise of Head Coach Ashish Nehra for his words of encouragement and keeping him calm before the 19th over.
Ashish Nehra told me to be calm- Spencer Johnson
Following his heroics in the 19th over versus Mumbai Indians, left hand seamer Spencer has credited head coach Ashish Nehra for helping him calm down during the match after being hammered for 17 runs in his debut over in this match. Post Ashish Nehra’s words Spencer returned back to claim two wickets in an over and change the match in Gujarat’s favor.
Speaking to the host broadcaster following the six-run win, the Aussie cricketer said he takes pride in not panicking despite going for runs. Spencer Johnson has also talked about the conversation he had with head coach Ashish Nehra before stepping up to bowl the penultimate over. He said :
“Absolutely incredible (feeling) to get the win in front of a full house is pretty special. Ashish Nehra told me to be calm, you are going to win the game. What worked well for me was the hard length and keeping calm and not panicking and sticking to what I do well,”
Mumbai Indians were well in control in the 13th over when Rohit Sharma’s sweep shot brought upon his downfall. The five-time champions lost their way from that point despite having big hitters like Dewald Brevis, Tim David, and Hardik Pandya. Spencer Johnson was also in praise of Shubman Gill’s captaincy and felt that crowd was absolutely electric on the night . He added :
“I have always wanted to play in India and the crowd was amazing. Sat next to Shubman in the bus on our way to the ground. He was calming me. We talked through the game. He is unbelievable as a young captain,”
The Titans will next face defending champions Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.