NEW DELHI: Punjab Kings releasing Shahrukh Khan came as a surprise to many and veteran India off-spinner R Ashwin feels that the power-hitter will be the player to watch out for at the December 19 auction.
While many teams will be looking to bring in Shahrukh, Ashwin predicted a major war between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans for the swashbuckling batter.
Punjab bought Shahrukh for Rs 9 crore but with now the slogger back in the auction pool, Ashwin said the 28-year-old might now fetch as high as Rs 12-13 crore.
"I can definitely see a war between CSK and Gujarat for Shahrukh Khan. Gujarat have let go of Hardik Pandya , Gujarat needs a player who can finish the innings, a sort of power player. and they need a power player. Shahrukh was at Rs 9 crore At Kings, and I though he showed his skills pretty well. Is it a decent release? Because I think he might end up going for Rs 12-13 crore again," said Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel.
"CSK might even take a chance of missing out on Mitchell Starc to get Shahrukh Khan because they don't have a local player or a presence. They went for Shahrukh Khan in the mega auction, and that's why I'm guessing so," Ashwin added.
Shahrukh was among 5 players released by Punjab ahead of the auction. The franchise will head into the auction with a purse of Rs 29.1 crores.
