India spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was thrilled with his Rs 18 crore signing by Punjab Kings during the IPL 2025 Auction and said that he deserved the amount after not being retained by Rajasthan Royals.
“I was pretty cramped and anxious because it’s what I received in the last three seasons altogether. I think I deserve this price, and I’m very excited,” said Chahal on JioCinema.
“Whoever has been bought at whatever price is deserving for that price only. Sometimes it is about money, and teams do not really have the purse to buy players, and they have to make plans for the whole team at the main auction. For me, being acquired means these two months can help you develop your game – whoever you are, a young kid or a senior. You gain a lot of insight,” he added.
On the prospect of playing with Arshdeep Singh and Shreyas Iyer, who were bought for Rs 18 crore and Rs 26.75 crore, respectively, Chahal said, “I am excited as my bond with Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh is very strong and I will learn a lot from Ricky Ponting sir as well. At least, I am closer to home now. It was Jaipur initially, and now it will be Chandigarh.”
“I had a feeling and even my friends told me that I’d go to Punjab, but I never thought that it would be this huge amount. I thought it would be Rs 12 cr – 13 cr, but I deserve this. Wherever you go, there is always a chance for learning and growing, and I promise to work hard to deliver my best,” he said.
Chahal has reflected and said he learned a lot being with fellow spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
“Playing at the Chinnaswamy Stadium took my fear of performing in big stadiums completely away. I spent three years playing alongside Ravichandran Ashwin and he taught me a lot because he’s a legend. One wants all the support a fellow spinner can provide because it is a team game at the end of the day. Much better when there is another spinner present to help you out,” Chahal said.
