Joshua Little
Role: Bowler
DOB: 01 November 1999
IPL Team (2026): Unsold
Base Price: ₹4.4 Crore (Last known auction price, 2023)
IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0* | – | 1 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2023 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0* | – | 1 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 10 | 216 | 300 | 7 | 2/25 | 42.85 | 8.33 | 30.85 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 10 | 216 | 300 | 7 | 2/25 | 42.85 | 8.33 | 30.85 | 0 | 0 |
The Story of Joshua Little
From the emerald fields of Ireland to the dazzling lights of the Indian Premier League, Joshua Little’s journey is a testament to raw talent and relentless ambition. Born on November 1, 1999, Little quickly emerged as one of Ireland’s most exciting cricketing prospects, a left-arm fast-medium bowler with a knack for picking up crucial wickets. His skiddy pace, ability to swing the new ball, and a deceptive array of variations in the death overs made him a formidable force on the international circuit.
Little’s breakthrough moment that truly caught the IPL scouts’ attention came during the T20 World Cup 2022. While Ireland might not have lifted the trophy, Little certainly left his mark, including a sensational hat-trick against New Zealand, dismissing Kane Williamson, Jimmy Neesham, and Mitchell Santner in successive deliveries. This performance, showcasing his big-match temperament and wicket-taking prowess against top-tier batsmen, made him a hot commodity.
The 2023 IPL auction saw history being made as Gujarat Titans shelled out a whopping ₹4.4 crore for his services, making him the first-ever Irish cricketer to secure an IPL contract. His entry into the world’s premier T20 league was met with immense excitement, not just in Ireland but across the cricketing globe. Little’s playing style is characterized by his ability to hit hard lengths, deliver pinpoint yorkers, and mix in slower balls and cutters effectively, making him a versatile option for any captain looking for a bowler who can operate across all phases of an innings.
While his debut season in 2023 offered glimpses of his potential, with a best of 2/25 against Kolkata Knight Riders, the IPL’s unforgiving nature also presented challenges. Despite the learning curve, Little’s raw talent and the unique left-arm angle he brings remain highly valued, promising a bright future for this Irish speedster in the T20 arena.
IPL Journey: Team by Team
Joshua Little’s IPL journey began and, so far, has been limited to a single franchise: the Gujarat Titans.
- Gujarat Titans (2023): Little made history at the 2023 IPL auction when the Gujarat Titans secured his services for a significant ₹4.4 crore. This marked him as the first-ever Irish player to be bought and feature in the Indian Premier League. He played 10 matches for the Titans in his debut season, picking up 7 wickets. While he showed flashes of brilliance, particularly with his ability to bowl in the powerplay and at the death, he also experienced the challenges of adapting to IPL conditions and the high-pressure environment. His best performance came against Kolkata Knight Riders, where he picked up 2 wickets for 25 runs. Following the 2023 season, the Gujarat Titans released Little, and he went unsold in subsequent auctions (2024, 2025), indicating he is currently not part of an IPL squad for 2026.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
Joshua Little, despite a relatively short IPL stint, offers intriguing angles for bettors, particularly given his unique skillset as a left-arm pacer.
- Strengths: His primary asset is the left-arm angle, which naturally creates difficulties for right-handed batsmen. Little possesses genuine pace and is adept at bowling hard lengths and delivering accurate yorkers, especially at the death. His variations, including slower balls and cutters, can be highly effective on pitches that offer some grip. He’s a potential wicket-taker in the powerplay, capable of swinging the new ball and surprising batsmen with his skiddy trajectory.
- Weaknesses: In his debut season, Little sometimes struggled with consistency, particularly on flat Indian pitches where his variations didn’t always come off, leading to him being a bit expensive (Econ 8.33). He can be targeted by aggressive batsmen who are comfortable against left-arm pace, especially if he misses his lengths.
- Conditions They Thrive In: Little is most effective on pitches that offer a hint of swing early on or provide some assistance for his slower balls later in the innings. Grounds with longer boundaries can also play to his advantage, making it harder for batsmen to clear the ropes against his pace and variations.
- Matchups: He can be a good bet for “most wickets” against teams heavily reliant on right-handed top-order batsmen. His ability to bowl tight lines and exploit the natural angle can trouble new batsmen at the crease.
- Consistency Metrics: His IPL career has been brief, so consistency is still a question mark. Bettors should look for his form in other T20 leagues or international matches leading up to any potential IPL return. If he’s bowling well and picking up wickets consistently, he could be a value pick for “over/under wickets” markets.
- When to Bet On/Against: Bet on Little when he’s bowling on pitches with some assistance for pacers or against a top-heavy right-handed batting lineup. Consider betting against him on very flat, small grounds, especially if he’s coming off a period of inconsistent form. His “over/under runs conceded” market can be volatile due to his high-risk, high-reward style, making it a potentially lucrative but risky bet.
Key Records & Milestones
- First Irish Player in IPL: Joshua Little holds the distinction of being the first-ever cricketer from Ireland to be bought and play in the Indian Premier League, a historic moment for Irish cricket.
- T20 World Cup Hat-trick: While not an IPL record, his hat-trick against New Zealand in the 2022 T20 World Cup (dismissing Kane Williamson, Jimmy Neesham, and Mitchell Santner) was a significant milestone that propelled him into the IPL spotlight.
- Debut IPL Season Wickets: In his inaugural IPL season (2023), Little picked up 7 wickets in 10 matches, showcasing his ability to compete at the highest level of T20 franchise cricket.
- Best IPL Figures: His best bowling performance in the IPL came against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2023, where he took 2 wickets for just 25 runs.
IPL Season Highlights
Joshua Little has featured in one IPL season to date, making his debut in 2023 for the Gujarat Titans. His performances offered glimpses of his potential as a left-arm pace option.
- IPL 2023 (Gujarat Titans): As the first Irish player in IPL history, Little’s debut season was keenly watched. He played 10 matches, picking up 7 wickets with an economy rate of 8.33. A standout performance came against Kolkata Knight Riders, where he delivered a crucial spell of 2/25, helping to restrict the opposition. He also contributed with 2/26 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, demonstrating his ability to break partnerships. While the season was a learning curve, Little showcased his ability to bowl with pace and execute variations, particularly his yorkers, in the high-pressure environment of the IPL.