The addition of Chris Woakes and Harshal Patel to the Punjab Kings (PBKS) roster for the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign was a major point of difference for them. The IPL auction platform is a high-stakes and intense environment. The teams’ fierce competition for players and the significance of the event, things aren’t always going smoothly.
Similar challenges faced by Mallika Sagar, who was presiding over the IPL auction faced again in 2024. One such instance occurred during the expedited round of the auction’s concluding stages. This happened when the Punjab Kings (PBKS) offered ?20 lakh for Indian player Shashank Singh, who was still uncapped.
Up until that moment, everything went according to plan. However, the player’s services were obtained by PBKS when no other paddle was raised around the auction floor. As is customary, the auctioneer auctioned the player towards the team and went on to the next.
The staff at the PBKS auction table, including Trevor Bayliss, Preity Zinta, Sanjay Bangar, as well as Ness Wadia, halted the process. This happened just before the next player was about to be auctioned off. Moreso, they had claimed that they had purchased the incorrect player. They wanted the mistake to be corrected, the money returned to their wallet. Moreover, the slot held by Shashank Singh to be added back.
But Mallika Sagar was quite clear that a judgement cannot be reversed once the hammer had dropped. PBKS was forced to make peace with the incorrect player on their roster as a result. Even while this agreement will handsomely reward the athlete, he will go into the campaign knowing that the team originally wanted his namesake and did not want him.
Delhi Capitals were about to buy wrong player also?
After Sumeet Varma’s name was called at the auction, Delhi Capitals (DC) placed a bid, even though their true intention was to buy Sumeet Kumar. Fortunately, the franchise realised what had happened and promptly requested that their proposal be withdrawn.
DC’s bid was overturned since the hammer had not been brought down and the auctioneer continued to be seeking a counterbid, which resulted in the player not being purchased.
Fans react as Punjab Kings sign wrong player during IPL Auctions 2024: –
Shashank Singh! pic.twitter.com/JTiDYhYM6J
— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) December 20, 2023
31 year old shashank singh ?? pic.twitter.com/tgYYFLTn3j
— Simple man (@ArbazAh87590755) December 20, 2023
Perfect example of Udta Punjab ?
— Chad Bhoi ? (Parody) (@mard_tweetwala) December 20, 2023
Ye Maxwell ki bandi hai kabhi bhi Shadi karsakta hai
— Amjid Shah (@Amjidshah23) December 20, 2023
Priety Zinta and Ness Wadia right now be like pic.twitter.com/Ods92RjerT
— KhabriBhai (@RealKhabriBhai) December 20, 2023
Not pretty with Zinta.
— Rathin Dutta ? (@IamRathinDutta) December 20, 2023
For original Shashank Singh- Do Pal Ruka Khwabon ka Karwan, aur phir chal diye tum kahan ham Kahan .
— Vishwesh (@kuchvishesh) December 20, 2023
— Elora The Muskerer (@fun_sheels) December 20, 2023
32 ??? ?? ????? 19 ??? ?? ????? ??: pic.twitter.com/z0RDVdDU3u
— RAJ SINGH?? (@Rajsingh534) December 20, 2023
Trade window has open if @PunjabKingsIPL want they can bought now also the 19 yr old Shashank…. It will be a great opportunity if it happens or done by the franchise @PunjabKingsIPL
— Satyabrata Adhikary (@SatyabrataMampi) December 20, 2023
Feel for both Shanshanks. Not a good position to be in
— Dilip ? (@imdilips) December 20, 2023
Hope the Shashank Singh who was bought isnt made to feel bad or left out by the Punjab team mgt. – not his mistake at all
Wish that he does well, whoever he is?
— Blunt 3.0 (@0_blunt2) December 20, 2023