Yuzvendra Chahal breaks silence on being in the same team as Shreyas Iyer
Published - 25 Nov 2024, 11:46 AM | Updated - 25 Nov 2024, 11:53 AM
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Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has yet again grabbed headlines by becoming one of the biggest stories of the IPL 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, November 24.
Chahal secured a jaw-dropping INR 18 crore deal with Punjab Kings (PBKS) after an intense bidding war involving top franchises like Gujarat Titans (GT), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Yuzvendra Chahal finds new home with Punjab Kings
Ultimately, Punjab Kings (PBKS) won the bidding war against Gujarat Titans (GT), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Day 1 of the ongoing IPL 2025 Mega Auction in Jeddah, making Yuzvendra Chahal one of the most expensive bowlers in IPL history.
With his stellar track record, Chahal's stature in the T20 format has been nothing short of remarkable. The 34-year-old spinner, who is known for his ability to turn games with his crafty leg spin, has 96 wickets in 80 T20I cricket matches and 354 scalps in 305 T20 matches overall to his name.
His consistency and knack for delivering match-winning performances have established him as one of the most sought-after spinners in the world, and Punjab Kings didn’t let anyone grab the golden opportunity that slipped away from their hands to sign Chahal.
"I deserve this": Yuzvendra Chahal reflects on his INR 18 Crore PBKS deal at IPL 2025 Mega Auction
Reflecting on becoming one of the costliest players on Sunday, Yuzvendra Chahal revealed a whirlwind of emotions of nervousness, anxiety, and excitement during the IPL 2025 mega auction. However, Chahal said that he deserves this prize for his hard work and performance.
The seasoned leg-spinner said that joining Punjab Kings means he came closer to home and reunites him with his teammates like Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh. Chahal is also excited to hone his craft further under the guidance of legendary coach Ricky Ponting at the Punjab Kings.
Yuzvendra Chahal was quoted as saying by Jio Cinema, “I was quite nervous and anxious because this amount is what I got in the last three seasons combined. I think I deserve this prize, and I am very excited. I'm excited as my bond with Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh is strong, and I will also get to learn a lot from Ricky Ponting, sir. At least I'm closer to home now. It was Jaipur initially, and now it will be Chandigarh.”
Yuzvendra Chahal's IPL journey in short
Meanwhile, Yuzvendra Chahal is still the all-time leading wicket-taker for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), a team he represented for seven seasons until his departure to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in 2022. During his time at the RCB, he managed 139 wickets in 113 games at an average of 22.03.
Read Also: IPL Auction: Venkatesh Iyer demands KKR captaincy after Record-Breaking bid
Since making the switch to Rajasthan Royals (RR), Chahal has been a key figure in their bowling attack, playing a key role in guiding the team to the playoffs in two of the last three seasons. He is currently the most successful bowler in IPL history, with a record 205 wickets in 160 matches.
Chahal’s standout moment came in the IPL 2022 when he claimed the Purple Cap after taking 27 wickets in 17 matches for the Royals. Now joining Punjab Kings, he brings his wealth of experience to a franchise that has struggled in recent years in the tournament.
