Ravichandran Ashwin anticipates fierce bidding duel between GT and CSK for Shahrukh Khan in IPL 2024 auction

As the cricketing fraternity braces itself for the IPL 2024 auction, veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin makes a bold prediction, envisioning an intense bidding war between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the dynamic Tamil Nadu batter, Shahrukh Khan. With Shahrukh Khan released by Punjab Kings (PBKS) ahead of the auction, his explosive power-hitting skills have captured the attention of these two franchises, setting the stage for a potential blockbuster bidding battle.

Shahrukh Khan’s IPL journey took a fascinating turn when PBKS secured him for INR ₹9 crore in the IPL 2022 auction. Despite showcasing his prowess with impactful cameos, PBKS opted to release him before the IPL 2024 auction. In the 2023 season, Shahrukh Khan played all 14 games, accumulating 156 runs at a striking rate of 165.96. His release, despite commendable performances, has laid the groundwork for a high-stakes bidding showdown.

Read More: IPL 2024: List of retained and released players of all teams

Sharing his insights in a video on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin predicted that Shahrukh Khan could spark a bidding war, commanding a base price of at least ₹12 to ₹13 crore. Ashwin emphasized the demand for a power player, particularly following Gujarat Titans’ loss of middle-order batter and finisher Hardik Pandya. He remarked, “I can definitely see a war between CSK and GT for Shahrukh Khan because Gujarat have just lost middle batter/finisher Hardik and they need a power player.”

Ashwin further suggested that CSK might prioritize Shahrukh Khan over other potential acquisitions, possibly even forgoing the opportunity to secure Mitchell Starc. This strategic decision could be influenced by CSK’s requirement for a local player or a specific team dynamic. Notably, CSK had previously expressed interest in acquiring Shahrukh Khan during the mega auction, elevating the bid to 8.75 crores before eventually losing to PBKS at 9 crores.

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