With a total of 72 players sold in the IPL 2024 auction held on December 19, a controversy erupted with the Punjab Kings as it looked like they bought the wrong player. The Preity Zinta-c0-owned franchise wanted to rope in a player named Shashank Singh but after the bidding process was complete they refused to accept him. The officials sitting at the PBKS auction table told the auctioneer that they confused Shashank with another cricketer with the same name.
The franchise has issued a clarification over the several media reports circulating on social media, wherein, it has been mentioned that PBKS has picked the wrong Shashank Singh. Issuing a press release, the franchise stated that Shashank, whom they acquired, was already on their target list and there was confusion due to the same names of two players. Notably, PBKS got the player that they wanted in the squad.
Punjab Kings issue statement over buying Shashank Singh
The press release read, “Media have reported 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. We are delighted to have him on board and see him contribute to our success.”
? Official Update ?
Punjab Kings would like to clarify that Shashank Singh was always on our target list. The confusion was due to 2 players of the same name being on the list. We are delighted to have him onboard and see him contribute to our success.
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) December 20, 2023
The incident happened during the peak hours of the IPL 2024 auction and the Punjab Kings were very excited to rope in talented uncapped players. PBKS were able to steal Vishwanath Pratap Singh and Ashutosh Sharma at their base price of INR 20 lakh, however, when Shashank Singh’s turn came, PBKS co-owner Preity Zinta raised the paddle and started the bid after a long discussion.
The bid didn’t receive any competition from any other franchise and at last auctioneer Mallika Sagar put the hammer down to add another purchase for PBKS. While Mallika moved the next player on the set, the cameras moved to PBKS’ table where the owners were a bit baffled.
Another PBKS co-owner Ness Wadia along with Preity Zinta raised their hand and signalled to the auctioneer. Mallika Sagar said, “It was a wrong name? You don’t want the player?. We are talking about Shashank Singh. But the hammer has come down. Player No. 236 and 237 both went to you.”
While Ness Wadia explained his concern to Mallika Sagar, the IPL auctioneer was adamant and said, “I think the hammer has come down for 237 (Shashank) as well.” At last, the Punjab Kings had to settle down for a player.
What might have confused the Punjab Kings was there were two players of the same name on the list with a base price of INR 20 lakh. Both the Shashank Singhs are all-rounders and the one PBKS bought has played for SRH in the past and went unsold in last year’s auction.
Punjab Kings full squad after the IPL 2024 auction
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, Vidwath Kaverappa, Shivam Singh, Harshal Patel, Chris Woakes, Ashutosh Sharma, Vishwanath Pratap Singh, Shashank Singh, Tanay Thyagarajann, Prince Choudhary, Rilee Rossouw.