IPL Auction 2024: Punjab Kings clarify Shashank Singh purchase 'confusion'

Punjab Kings have denied reports that claimed that they "erroneously" bought a player during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 mini-auction in Dubai on Tuesday, December 18. Punjab Kings were active, as usual, in the auction as they spent big money to secure the services of 8 players, including 2 overseas names.

There was a moment of confusion when Punjab Kings bid for Shashank Singh, a 32-year-old all-rounder from Chhattisgarh, during the mini-auction. The player's name came up for bidding and Punjab Kings raised the paddle for the player. However, after he was sold at his base price of Rs 20 lakh, Punjab Kings co-owners Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia appeared to have a chat with the auctioneer Malika Sagar.

The team management and the auctioneer had a brief discussion before the player remained sold to Punjab Kings.

Soon after the confusion played out on television screens, rumours arose that Punjab Kings did not want to buy the player, but eventually had to settle for him after the player was sold during the auction.

Punjab Kings, in a media statement, clarified the scenario, saying Shashank Singh was in their target list and the confusion was due to 2 players with the same



name.

"Media have reported on Shashank Singh being bought erroneously by the Punjab Kings. The Kings would like to clarify that the player was always on our target list. The confusion was due to 2 players of the same name being on the list," PBKS said.

"We are delighted to have him on board and see him contribute to our success," it added.

Shashank Singh holds a unique Indian record in domestic ODIs. He scored 150 runs and took 5 wickets against Manipur for Chattisgarh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2023. He became the first Indian to achieve this in a first-class cricket match. The 31-year-old has played 15 first-class matches, 30 List A matches and 55 T20s in his career so far.

PBKS FULL SQUAD FOR IPL 2024

RETAINED PLAYERS

Shikhar Dhawan (c), Matthew Short, Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Sikandar Raza, Rishi Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, Atharva Taide, Arshdeep Singh, Nathan Ellis, Sam Curran, Kagiso Rabada, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Harpreet Bhatia.

BOUGHT AT IPL AUCTION 2024

Harshal Patel, Chris Woakes, Ashutosh Sharma, Vishwanath Pratap Singh, Shashank Singh, Tanay Thyagarajann, Prince Choudhary, Rilee Rossouw.