New Delhi (India),: Indian player Yuzvendra Chahal talks about his transfer to Punjab Kings for ₹18 crore in the ongoing Indian Premier League mega auction and said he deserves this price.

Chahal was signed by Punjab Kings for ₹18 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 season.

For Chahal, first there was a huge bidding war between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings and then between Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants. Eventually, he was hired by PBKS to ₹18 million.

Chahal is the chart-topping bowler in the league, owning the most wickets by an Indian in T20is and by any bowler in the IPL. In 80 T20Is, he took 96 wickets at an average of 25.09 with best figures of 6/25. Also in total T20s, he has taken 354 wickets in 305 matches.

Speaking exclusively to JioCinema, Chahal said he was “nervous and anxious” during the IPL 2025 mega-auction.

“I was quite nervous and anxious because this amount is what I have received in the last three seasons combined. I think I deserve this award and I am very excited,” Chahal said in a JioCinema statement.

The Indian spinner added that he has a close bond with Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh and is excited to play with them in the Punjab-based franchise in the upcoming season.

“I am excited because my bond with Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh is strong, and I will also learn a lot from Ricky Ponting sir. At least I am closer to home now. It was Jaipur initially, and now this will be the case. be Chandigarh,” he added.

Chahal remains the leading wicket-taker for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, even after his departure in 2021 following a tenure that began in 2014. In 113 matches for RCB, he has taken 139 wickets at an average of 22.03, with a best of 4/25.

Since joining Rajasthan Royals in 2022, Chahal has helped the team reach the playoffs twice in three seasons. He is also the leading wicket-taker in IPL history, amassing 205 wickets in 160 matches at an average of 22.44, with a best of 5/44. He won the Purple Cap in 2022, his first season with RR, taking 27 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 19.51, with best figures of 5/40.

Punjab Kings finished ninth in the IPL 2024 season. The team has not reached the playoffs since 2014, when they finished second.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modification to the text.