IPL 2018: Preity Zinta misses premium player in KXIP squad

After the culmination of the two-day mega-auction for the much-awaited lucrative Twenty20 Indian Premier League (IPL), the co-owner of the IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab, Preity Zinta reveals the outfit will miss the services of the promising bowler in the squad after hailing the return of local hero Yuvraj Singh in the fold.

KXIP Punjab boasts about big hitters:

The Punjab-based outfit has availed the services of swashbuckling Chris Gayle alongside Yuvraj Singh and Marcus Stoinis in particular.

With the recently concluded auction witnessing 169 players were sold to the respective teams, there were some faces who could make it to the list despite being repeated twice on the auction table which has become an instant hit since the inception of the league in 2008.

Banking on experience and young legs:

While going for the prominent and promising buys at the same time, Preity has used his cards diligently alongside chief mentor Virender Sehwag.

Preity, who has expressed satisfaction to pick the strong squad for the upcoming IPL season further saw the management entrusting ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

As the excitement level has been high among the fans, Preity, who has shown a keen interest in the gentleman’s game further saw herself being involved in the fierce bidding war which included rivals Chennai Super Kings, who availed services of their key players through the availability of the Right to Match Card.

Moreover, KL Rahul’s inclusion has also strengthened the top-order with bowler Mohit Sharma to be the regular fixture for the team after missing their premium bowler Sandeep Sharma.

Preity in awe of Sandeep:

Moreover, Preity had a heartwarming message for Sandeep as he is been fondly known as ‘Sandy’ in the KXIP camp while remarking she is ‘heartbroken for not going with Sandeep this time around.

“The one thing I am heartbroken about it is having to miss out on Sandy (Sandeep Sharma). I was really sad to let him go but I was also excited to see that there was a bidding war for Sandy,” Preity revealed in a video statement.

Sunrisers sealed Sandeep for IPL 11:

It’s pertinent to mention that the 24-year-old fast bowler Sandeep, who hails from Patiala, was the most-sought-after bowler for KXIP, as Preity wished the hard-working bowler all the best for future endeavours.

“This is a great example of somebody who is amazing to work with, who is hardworking and he gets rewarded for his hard work,” Preity maintained in the video message for Sandeep.

The regular fixture for KXIP since 2013, Sandeep played 56 IPL matches in which he bagged 71 wickets at an average of 22.35 with the best figures of four for 20.

Sandeep attracted INR 3 crore bid from Sunrisers Hyderabad and Preity has hailed the services of the bowler by termed him as the ‘big winner’.

“So we might have missed out on him in the Kings XI Punjab squad but eventually, he is the big winner. So congratulations Sandy and I am going to miss you,” Preity concluded.

Concluding, the best value buy has further pushed KXIP to rope in Afghan spin mystery Mujeeb Zadran

Follow the detailed news of the professional T20 domestic league here: Indian Premier League, 2018

Here’s the video from the official Twitter handle of KXIP:

Preity Zinta had a special message for Sandeep Sharma who unfortunately won’t be part of the team for the upcoming season. We’re all going to miss you very much Sandy! #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi pic.twitter.com/dFuVAK7MSj

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) January 29, 2018