‘Got about 90% of what we wanted’ – PBKS co-owner Preity Zinta on IPL mega-auction. (Photo by Satish Bate/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
Punjab Kings retained only Shashank and Prabhsimran Singh ahead of the IPL 2025 mega-auction. They had INR 110.50 crore to spend in the auction and bought Shreyas Iyer for INR 26.75 crore, Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal for INR 18 crore each, Marcus Stoinis for INR 11 crore, Marco Jansen for INR 7 crore, Glenn Maxwell and Nehal Wadhera for INR 4.20 crore among many others.
They have built a strong core for the upcoming season and will be hoping to win their maiden title in the cash-rich league. Speaking on the same, co-owner Preity Zinta stated that the franchise is happy with the new signings as they have got 90% of the players that they wanted. The Bollywood actress noted that the goal was to start afresh and was happy to add local boys Arshdeep, Wadhera and Harpreet Brar into the squad.
“We wanted to start completely new, some hits and misses, but most of them were hits with what we wanted. No auction ever happens where you think these are the names that we want 100 percent. If you can get above 90 percent, that’s a great auction. And we got about 90% of what we wanted,” Zinta told the broadcasters after the auction.
“Yes, they are back, and I am very, very excited. Arshdeep Singh is the original Punjabi boy, Harpreet Brar, Nehal Wadhera and there are so many. One thing we definitely wanted was to have a brand-new team, a brand-new approach. But we also wanted players from our catchment area,” she added.
Also Read: PBKS Team 2025 Player List: Complete Punjab Kings (PBKS) Squad and Players List for IPL 2025
Little sad that some of our players we are going to miss: Zinta
Even though Zinta revealed to be happy with the squad, she mentioned being sad for the players that they had to let go of. Nevertheless, with all the new players, she expects to have a good season in IPL 2025.
“But then you go to the auction table, and you’re like, OK, keep calm, because there’s too much confusion. But all in all, I am very happy. I feel a little sad that some of our players we are going to miss, and I wish them all the very best. I’m also very, very happy for all the new players that have come. So yes, I am looking forward to a great season,” Zinta added.