On 23 December 2022, all franchises took part in the mini-auction in Kochi for the next edition of the Indian T20 League. All teams already submitted their final list of retained and released players list to the Board on 15 November. All fans of the respective teams were eager to see further addition to the squads.
Meanwhile, Sikandar Raza was one of the exciting names in round two whom franchises were looking to add to their squads. Even, fans were hoping to see him getting a huge amount ahead of this new edition from any franchise. In recent tournaments and series, Sikandar Raza has been the best player to watch out for from Zimbabwe.
Punjab franchise bought Sikandar Raza for 50 Lakhs for the Indian T20 League 2023
Speaking of Sikandar Raza, he has a great ability to bat in the middle order. While he can contribute with the ball also with his variations in spins. Speaking of his career, he has played 66 T20Is so far for his country. He has scored 1259 runs in 63 innings, at an average of 20.98. In the 20-20 World Cup 2022 also, he played a vital role in Zimbabwe’s journey. He was the highest run-scorer for his team in that tournament with 219 runs in eight innings, at an average of 27.37.
With the ball also, he took 10 wickets in eight matches, at an economy of 6.50. So, fans were expecting a bidding war between franchises to get this player to their squad. His base price was INR 50 Lakhs. Only the Punjab franchise came up for the player and bought him at his base price. It was quite surprising for fans to see other franchises showed no interstate in such a utility player. However, Punjab fans went crazy to see him in their squad and they termed it as the best steal ever in the history of the Indian T20 League.
Here is how fans have reacted to the addition of Sikandar Raza to the Punjab franchise:
A player like Sikandar Raza jst fetches his base price of 50L and Nicholas Pooram goes for 16Cr. Doesn’t make any sense. #IPLAuction #TATAIPLAuction #iplauction2023
— FiKaRnOt (@fikarnot07) December 23, 2022
Sikandar Raza https://t.co/SOPlkcLZes
— Uzayr (@uzayrraja123) December 23, 2022
And nice to see Sikandar Raza getting an IPL gig. He's had a phenomenal year! @SRazaB24 🤝🏻🤝🏻 pic.twitter.com/kwzwutrUAj
— Srivats (@vatsan_18) December 23, 2022
you deserve it bro🥳 @SRazaB24 #sikandarraza pic.twitter.com/3x4Ma9h6IN
— Santosh Yadav 🇮🇳 (@santoshyadav455) December 23, 2022
Sikandar Raza is playing for punjab in 2023. Well done bro @SRazaB24 Work hard bro......you are very good and amazing bro.........#IPLAuction #TATAIPLAuction pic.twitter.com/01Xl3AYbUJ
— Virushka 💜 (@virushka3328) December 23, 2022
So happy for Sikandar Raza. What a comeback story it has been for the after his bone marrow infection. Ageing like a fine wine
— Siddhant (@__s1ddhant__) December 23, 2022
steal deal till the time is jhye richardson nd ofcos sikandar raza.
— अंकित (@AnkitOffline) December 23, 2022
Both went sold at base price. Ridiculous.#IPLAuction
Sikandar Raza is a steal at this price.
— Vivek Dhiman (@vivekdhiman) December 23, 2022