Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has sparked a controversy by taking a jibe at Punjab Kings’ all-rounder Sam Curran while praising Prabhsimran Singh’s brilliant performance in the 59th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. Sehwag questioned the hefty sum of INR 18 crore that was spent on the English all-rounder, who hasn’t justified his price tag. Meanwhile, Prabhsimran Singh scored his maiden IPL century, a match-winning 103 off 65 balls, leading his team to a comfortable 31-run victory over the Delhi Capitals.
Sehwag highlighted how the Mohali-based franchise spent only INR 60 lakh on Prabhsimran Singh and yet, the young batsman has delivered some exceptional performances for his team, boosting their chances of qualifying for the playoffs. Singh had a remarkable IPL 2023, scoring 334 runs with an average of 273.33 and an impressive strike rate of 153.92.
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The Punjab Kings bought uncapped Prabhsimran Singh for a whopping INR 4.8 crore in the IPL 2019 auction but released him before last year’s mega auction. However, they repurchased him for INR 60 lakh this year and are now reaping the rewards of their investment.
Sehwag was all praise for Singh and said, “You bought Sam Curran for 18.5 crores, what has he done?” While it is true that Curran has had a relatively poor IPL season, Sehwag’s comments have been viewed as unfair and unnecessary by some fans and experts.
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The Punjab Kings’ victory has moved them into sixth place in the 10-team points table in the IPL 2023, and their chances of making it to the playoffs have received a significant boost. The team will now face the Delhi Capitals again in their next match at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Wednesday, May 17.
Overall, Sehwag’s comments have added fuel to the ongoing debate about the high price tags of players in the IPL and the need for teams to be more strategic in their investments. Prabhsimran Singh’s performance highlights the importance of investing in young talent, who can deliver exceptional performances at a fraction of the cost of established players.