When Jhye Richardson last departed Asia, less than two years ago, he was abruptly forced to re-evaluate his career goals.

Thoughts of a World Cup berth or adding to his two Tests with an Ashes call-up were put on hold, with a dislocated shoulder in the UAE leading to a challenging road to rehabilitation.

So it’s only fitting that the subcontinent will play a big part in Richardson’s redemption story as the paceman prepares to head back there to cash in on a monster payday – and get back on track striving for his loftiest dreams.

The 24-year-old was one of Australia’s big winners out of Thursday night’s Indian Premier League player auction, snapped up by Punjab Kings for $2.48 million AUD on the back of a superb summer as the Big Bash League’s leading wicket-taker.

MORE: ‘Life-changing’: Richardson in shock after massive payday

As he prepares to lead the Aussie pace battery in this week’s opening T20 in New Zealand, Richardson said he was confident he was back on track to achieve his Test ambitions and World Cup push ahead of the T20 version of the event being held in India later this year.

“It’s a nice bonus from where I was 12 months ago,” Richardson said, alluding to a second bout of shoulder surgery mid last year following the initial injury.

“All the questions go through your mind when you have such a long recovery or such a big injury whether or not you’ll get back to your best.

“Any competition helps (when striving for a World Cup berth).

“If you’re performing well in any competition that’s the best thing you can possibly do, be confident in your own game and play well.

“The goal for me and the dream is to play more Test cricket. But while I’m not picked in that squad, what’s happening in front of me is the most important thing and for me at the moment that’s T20 cricket.”

The IPL campaign will give Richardson the ideal chance to stake his claim for a World Cup berth, with the right-armer buoyed by snaring eight wickets in three ODIs in India prior to his injury setback.

“Before my shoulder I had a few variations which I liked to play around with,” Richardson said.

“The Indian wickets suited that. It creates a new challenge.”

Australia’s five-match T20 series against New Zealand gets underway in Christchurch on Monday.