Before the IPL 2024 auction, Indian cricket stalwart Ravichandran Ashwin has weighed in with a bold prediction, foreseeing a promising bid for Tamil Nadu’s hard-hitting batsman, Shahrukh Khan. The 37-year-old spinner opines that Khan might once again command a significant price at the auction block. In the 2022 auction, Punjab Kings had invested a hefty sum of Rs 9 crore for the uncapped player, but he couldn’t quite meet the team’s expectations, leading to his departure ahead of IPL 2024.
Shahrukh Khan has participated in 33 IPL matches to date, accumulating 426 runs across 31 innings at an average of 20.29, with a striking 134.81. His best IPL batting performance remains 47 runs, and he has crafted 26 fours and 28 sixes during his IPL tenure.
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Ashwin, who shares a history of domestic cricket with Shahrukh, believes there could be a bidding war for him, primarily between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT).
In a conversation on a YouTube channel, Ashwin shared, “I foresee a showdown between CSK and GT for Shahrukh Khan. Gujarat Titans have lost their seasoned middle-order finisher, Hardik Pandya, for the upcoming season, creating a need for a power player.”
Regarding Khan’s past performance with Punjab Kings, Ashwin expressed, “Shahrukh Khan was a nine-crore buy for Punjab Kings. I think he showcased his abilities well with the team. Was his release a wise decision? I believe he might attract bids around Rs 12 or 13 crores.”
Ashwin additionally speculated that the Chennai Super Kings might consider swapping Mitchell Starc for Shahrukh Khan in the upcoming auction, considering their current lack of local players.
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“CSK might take the gamble of releasing Mitchell Starc to secure Shahrukh Khan, as they currently lack a local player. They invested their trust in Shahrukh during the mega auction. That’s why I’m making such an estimation,” Ashwin concluded.
