Before the much-awaited IPL mega-auction, Punjab Kings (PBKS) retained only two players, opener Mayank Agarwal and pacer Arshdeep Singh. They spent a total of INR 16 crores on these two players. So, they retained a purse of INR 72 crores for this mega-auction which was the highest among all IPL teams.
Punjab Kings has had an agonizing relationship with premier Indian batter and their former captain Lokesh Rahul in the last few years as he failed to lead the team well in key moments in IPL. Thus, the franchise and KL Rahul both decide to part ways after the last season of IPL.
Number of Players Punjab Kings retained – 2
Name of Players Punjab Kings retained – Mayank Agarwal (INR 14 crore), Arshdeep Singh (INR 4 crore)
Purse remaining before Auction – INR 72 crore
Number of Players Punjab Kings bought on Day 1 of Mega-Auction – 9
Name of Players Punjab Kings bought – Shikhar Dhawan (INR 8.25 crore), Jonny Bairstow (INR 6.75 crore), Prabhsimran Singh (INR 60 lakh), Rahul Chahar (INR 5.25 crore), Harpreet Brar (INR 3.80 crore), Shahrukh Khan (INR 9 crore), Kagiso Rabada (INR 9.25 crore), Jitesh Sharma (INR 20 lakhs), Ishan Porel (INR 25 lakh)
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Batters – Shikhar Dhawan
Wicketkeeper-Batters – Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh
Bowlers – Ishan Porel, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar
All-rounders – Jitesh Sharma, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar
Purse spent – INR 43.35 crore
Purse remaining – INR 28.65 crore
Total Players – 11 (9 Indians, 2 Overseas)
Shikhar Dhawan to play for PBKS for the first time
Punjab have picked a strong opener in Shikhar Dhawan and wicketkeeping options in Jonny Bairstow and Prabhsimran Singh. Also, they have picked quality bowlers in their line-up – Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar and Ishan Porel. They would try to pick more batting options in the next round of the IPL auction.
Chahar, Shahrukh, Bairstow among intelligent buys
Jonny Bairstow at INR 6.75 crore, Rahul Chahar at INR 5.25 crore and Shahrukh Khan at INR 9 crore are among the smartest buys of the day for Punjab Kings. Mayank, Shikhar and Bairstow at the top makes formidable top-order. Rahul fulfils the void created by Ravi Bishnoi and Shahrukh resumes his services in the middle order against with Punjab Kings.
Strong All-rounders still required
Even if Punjab Kings picked three all-rounders (Jitesh Sharma, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar) in this auction, none of them is a genuine all-rounder in T20 cricket. So, they would try to get some all-rounders in the next round of auctions.
They have a purse of INR 28.65 crores left after the first round of auction which is still a hefty amount considering, they have to pick mostly their second-choice players in the next round. Overall, we can say Punjab Kings had a very good IPL auction on Day 1.
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