"You Won't Get Him Back.."- Aakash Chopra Baffled By PBKS' Decision To Release 9 Crore Star

Former India batter Aakash Chopra has criticised Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) decision to release Shahrukh Khan ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. In 2022, the Punjab-based outfit had secured the services of the Tamil Nadu star for a whopping amount of Rs 9 crore.

The hard-hitting middle-order batsman had earned the lucrative contract after his impressive displays in domestic circuit. He was a key member of the Tamil Nadu side that won the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy in 2020-21 and 2021-22.

He made an instant impact in the IPL, impressing one and all with his hard-hitting abilities. However, the right-handed batsman failed to live up to the expectations in the last season of the IPL. Shahrukh Khan managed to score a modest 156 runs in 13 innings at an average of 22.29 as PBKS failed to make the cut for the playoffs once again.

Aakash Chopra baffled by PBKS’ decision:

PBKS’s decision has raised a number of eyebrows and Aakash Chopra has been taken aback by the call too. The former cricketer-turned-commentator criticised the move and also stated that the franchise won’t be able to reacquire the batsman at a cheaper price if it has released him with that intention.

“They (PBKS) haven’t left Sam Curran. They have left Shahrukh (Khan). It is beyond my understanding. I agree he was a nine-crore guy, you might save a little money, but you will not get him back,” said Aakash Chopra.

“Someone or the other will take him. Delhi (Capitals) might pick him because they need a lower-middle-order batter. So they might spend a lot of money on him. Shahrukh Khan will again be sold for 10 crores and Punjab won’t get him,” he added.

Speaking further, Aakash Chopra also spoke about the players released by Delhi Capitals. He expressed his surprise over the franchise releasing as many as 11 players including players who played regularly in the last IPL.

“Delhi (Capitals) have released 11 players. They have released quite a few names who played matches last time – Mustafizur Rahman, Rilee Rossouw, Phil Salt, Manish Pandey, Sarfaraz Khan, Aman Khan, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ripal Patel, Priyam Garg and Chetan Sakariya.”

“I have got no idea how they will make up for this. They will have to buy fast bowlers. They don’t have a lower-middle-order batter at all. They will also need an Indian keeper. They have retained Prithvi Shaw,” he added.