Mallika Sagar, the auctioneer, drew and called Shashank’s name during the fast round. The 32-year-old, who plays domestic cricket for Chattisgarh, was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad and did not sell in the auction last year. After Punjab Kings were the only side to bid on the uncapped all-rounder in Dubai, he found a team for the 2024 Indian Premier League. As Sagar was about to certify that Shashank had been sold to the team, Ness Wadia and Preity Zinta, the proprietors of PBKS, informed her that they had misidentified Shashank and that they bought him mistakenly.
Sagar, however, remained unmoved, saying, “The hammer has come down now,” suggesting Punjab could not go back on their decision and reverse the purchase of Shashank.
