‘He Didn’t Pick Up’: PBKS Head Coach Ricky Ponting’s Big Reveal After Buying Shreyas Iyer For 26.75 Crore

Shreyas came into the auction with a base price of INR 2 crore and also got shot by the KKR but then they backed off at INR 10 crore. Shreyas has been in great form as he smashed a hundred while playing for Mumbai against Goa in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024. He ended up making 130 runs off 57 balls with the help of 11 fours and 10 sixes. It was Iyer’s knock that powered Mumbai to 250 for the loss of four wickets.

Our auction buys from  #RickyPonting #IPL2025Auction #PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/on6TUtCfDx
— Punjab Kings (PunjabKingsIPL) November 24, 2024

While talking to the official broadcaster, PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting disclosed that Iyer did not answer his call before the mega-auction.

“I haven’t spoken to him yet about the captaincy,” Ponting said. 

Bombay to Punjab! #ShreyasIyer #IPL2025Auction #PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/18QrcJzNmH
— Punjab Kings (PunjabKingsIPL) November 24, 2024

“I tried calling him before the auction, but he didn’t pick up. He’s been a successful captain in the IPL, and I worked with him for 3-4 years in Delhi, where he won the championship last season. I’m excited to work with him again, and if he can replicate that success for us in the IPL, I’ll be very happy.”

Shashank Singh (Batter) – Rs. 5.5 Crores

Prabhsimran Singh (Batter) – Rs. 4 Crores

Shreyas Iyer (Rs 26.75 crore)

 Arshdeep Singh (Rs 18 crore)

 Yuzvendra Chahal (Rs 18 crore)

Marcus Stoinis (Rs 11 crore)

Glenn Maxwell (Rs 4.2 crore)