NEW DELHI: Head coach Ricky Ponting was thrilled with the club's performance at the auction table and gave the analysts and scouts credit for their work, stating that "it couldn't have gone much better" as Punjab Kings' think tank put together a team designed for victory at the conclusion of the IPL 2025 super auction.
With only two players left and a maximum bid of Rs 110.5 crore, PBKS entered the auction with the intention of starting over under new head coach Ponting. After choosing to use their Right-to-Match (RTM) card against Sunrisers Hyderabad's final bid of Rs 18 crore, they snatched Arshdeep Singh.
The former IPL champion Shreyas Iyer was purchased by Kings for an astounding Rs 26.75 crore, making him the second most expensive acquisition of the auction behind Rishabh Pant, who was sold to the Lucknow Super Giants for an incredible Rs 27 crore.
"The auction has gone great. It probably couldn't have gone much better, to be honest. It's been a lot of work and a lot of team effort. The analysts have done a terrific job, providing me with much information on the local players. Obviously, I know a lot about the overseas guys," Ponting said.
Yuzvendra Chahal, the first player in IPL history to capture 200 wickets, was PBKS' third-largest acquisition, costing Rs 18 crore. Then, they acquired Glenn Maxwell (Rs 4.20 crore) and Marcus Stoinis (Rs 11 crore), two Australian all-rounders.
