IPL 2018 Auction: KXIP snaps up Ashwin, KL Rahul for 7.60 crores, 11 crores respectively
Preity Zinta led KXIP is in no mood to miss players, who can change the franchises' IPL history.
Mentored by cricket legend Virender Sehwag, the team on Saturday snapped up some important players, who have played key roles for other teams during previous seasons.
Starting with, R Ashwin, KXIP purchased the former Chennai Super Kings key spinner for Rs 7.60 crores.
They were engaged in bidding war with Rajasthan Royals, who were willing to pay Rs 5.2 crore for him.
We have our first buy of the #IPLAuction! And this time no RTM card is played. @ashwinravi99 is a KXIP player! Welcome to the lion's den! :D #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi
— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) January 27, 2018
CSK who were expected to pick up Ashwin didn’t bid at all.
Ashwin was with CSK from the inaugural edition till 2015, when the team was suspended on charges of spot fixing.
For the last two seasons, Ashwin played for now-defunct Rising Pune Super Giants.
Later, Punjab snapped up two of India's premier batters KL Rahul and Karun Nair. Both the players are in good form and performed well in the previous season.
Karun Nair, who was bought for Rs 5.60 crore, played for DD last season, whereas Rahul was part of the star-studded RCB contingent.
We have our 3rd player! After an intense bidding war, we have won the bid for @karun126! Welcome to the lions den! #IPLAuction
— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) January 27, 2018
However, there was intense bidding for KL Rahul who lit up IPL last season. Mumbai Indians, SunRisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals initially started bidding for KL Rahul.
Another successful bid and @klrahul11 is now a KXIP player! Welcome to the den, sher! #IPLAuction
— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) January 27, 2018
KXIP and SRH entered into an intense price war over Rahul, but Punjab managed to get hold of him for a whopping Rs 11 crore. RCB had the option of using RTM, but they him go.
Aaron Finch and David Miller are the other players purchased by Punjab for the XIth season.
Finch was bought for 6.2 crore, while Miller was initially bought by Mumbai Indians for Rs 3 crore, but KXIP trumped them by using the RTM card.
A summary of our day so far. What do you make of our buys sheron? #IPLAuction #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi pic.twitter.com/9Uy12rpxJx
— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) January 27, 2018
Run-Machine Yuvraj Singh too was bought for Rs 2 crore.
Yesssssss ! @YUVSTRONG12 is back home at @lionsdenkxip and I cannot be happier ???? #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi #VivoIPLAuction #BalleBalle????
— Preity zinta (@realpreityzinta) January 27, 2018
A legend is making is way home! @YUVSTRONG12 is a lion once again as we get him for his base price of 2 crores! Welcome back home paaji! #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi #IPLAuction
— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) January 27, 2018
KXIP current team includes, R Ashwin, David Miller, Yuvraj Singh, Karun Nair, KL Rahul, A Finch, Axar Patel