Punjab Kings (PBKS) prevailed ultimately in the fierce bidding war for the veteran Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal paying him INR 18 crore in his most expensive deal in the IPL history. Gujarat Titans began the bidding before the likes of Chennai Super Kings, Lucknow Super Giants and Sunrisers Hyderabad joined and left. Punjab Kings earlier bid a whopping amount of INR 26.75 crore for Shreyas Iyer, who is likely to be their captain and RTM'ed star pacer Arshdeep Singh.
Chahal has not been in the reckoning for the national side for India for a couple of years. Even though the leggie was picked for the T20 World Cup, he didn't play a single match. However, being the leading wicket-taker in IPL history, he does offer a value to any franchise. Punjab would rue the chance of getting him at a slightly lesser price but Sunrisers Hyderabad seemed to increase the bid for Chahal, which they even did for Rishabh Pant when Lucknow Super Giants were going all out for the wicketkeeper-batter.
The Kings now have splurged INR 62.75 crore for three players (Shreyas Iyer - INR 26.75 crore and Arshdeep and Chahal for INR 18 crore each) and will have to walk the auction ahead slightly carefully as these three expensive bids have almost brought level with the other teams, despite coming to the auction with the biggest purse of INR 110.5 crore.
Chahal was key to Rajasthan Royals' success in the previous three-year cycle. With 66 wickets in just 46 matches, Chahal single-handedly turned a few games in the Royals' favour, the one in particular was the 2022 clash against the Kolkata Knight Riders, where he picked his only IPL hat-trick.
Chahal is a T20 World Cup winner, however, hasn't played even a single match in the tournament despite being part of the Indian team in a couple of editions. The chances of his comeback are negligible but no one can ignore a terrific IPL season and Chahal will hope that he does find a new family at the Punjab Kings and continues his excellent run in the tournament.
In Arshdeep and Chahal, Punjab Kings have two really good experienced local international bowlers, to take care of the middle and death overs.
