Kings XI Punjab were clearly the most entertaining team during auction for this season's VIVO Indian Premier League on the opening day on Saturday.
From our enthusiastic participation to the ever-frustrating 'Right to Match' cards, we were always in the thick of things, with team promoter Preity Zinta becoming the face of the proceedings.
#IPLAuction @lionsdenkxip @IPL @realpreityzinta pic.twitter.com/YwcUAWlRwg
— Kumarmahi (@dhfm_anu_nenu) January 27, 2018
But behind the entertainment was a strategy that ensured the Kings march into the new season with a solid line-up.
#IPLAuction looks promising..😍😍 pic.twitter.com/8esDL4TYKK
— Saurabh Jain (@sjbajaj) January 27, 2018
It could have been even stronger had the 'Right to Match' cards, raised on five occasions against KXIP, not limited the table's well-thought and reasonable bids.
Wth why everyone is using their RTM against @lionsdenkxip.
— Gajal💥 (@Gajal_Dalmia) January 27, 2018
Excellent bids by @lionsdenkxip but unfortunately they didn't succeed in getting the players as they loose them to the #RTM used by other franchises
— Prakash Aluru (@prakash_aluru) January 27, 2018
The aggressive bidding approach helped, negating what could have been the ill-effects of other failed bids. These certainly caught everyone's eye as we bid on about a third of the players named during the day!
You get a bid! You get a bid! All of you get a bid! @lionsdenkxip #IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/uD6aAWF5cG
— Rahul Buddhavarapu (@keyboardcritic) January 27, 2018
Absolutely loving the aggressive intent by @lionsdenkxip .
— Kunwardeep Singh (@Kunwar5) January 27, 2018
Sehwag affect maybe.
Really enjoying how @lionsdenkxip are performing at the #IPLAuction, it’s like watching @virendersehwag bat ! They were the team I supported in the first IPL, looks like it’s going to be them for me this year !!
— Alfred Godfrey (@alfred_godfrey) January 27, 2018
@lionsdenkxip done their homework superbly 🙏🙏#iplauction
— kanishka proothi (@imkproothi) January 27, 2018
Looks like @realpreityzinta has come in looking to take the #IPLAuction2018 by storm. Enthusiastic bidding for everyone so far. @lionsdenkxip
— Raghu (@raghunath_m) January 27, 2018
I think @lionsdenkxip is making the best moves this Ipl auction!!
— karthik ven (@karthikven911) January 27, 2018
Our approach paid off as we managed to rope in some big names, with off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin being the first of the big bags
Been Watching the #IPLAuction since 10 years, great to see @kxip with such an aggressive approach at the table Finally. @virendersehwag Viru Paaji effect. @realpreityzinta keep up the support.
— Angad Singh Badhwar (@Angy_oo7) January 27, 2018
Welcome @ashwinravi99 to the den😎 #KXIP #IPLAuction2018 #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi
Big buy! @ashwinravi99 to @lionsdenkxip have they found themselves a leader @IPL #IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/DDQTeMJsH5
— Jai Kedia (@analysishub97) January 27, 2018
We may hail from the north but we scoured the south, with three players from the state of Karnataka joining Ashwin. They comprised record-setters and recent domestic top-performers.
@karun126; a true unsung Indian hero has joined @lionsdenkxip
— #Sports & Me (@SunilYashKalra) January 27, 2018
INR 560--L
It could be a great gamble also! #IPLAuction #IPLAuction2018 #IPL2018 pic.twitter.com/pHnFq3ZtoJ
Just after the 2013/14 Ranji season, I said that KL Rahul is capable of playing even the shortest format. Many scoffed at me. Today, I feel vindicated as he is sold for 11 crores to @lionsdenkxip #IPLAuction
— Ramachandra Maharudrappa (@nanuramu) January 27, 2018
@lionsdenkxip is killing in this auction! Mayank Agarwal is a great value for money. He is in a terrific form. Man what a team composition it's turning out to be for #KXIP #IPLAuction#IPLAuction2018 #IPL #IPL2018 #VivoIPLAuction
— Shehazad (@shehazad) January 27, 2018
Mayank Agarwal @lionsdenkxip for 1Cr.
— Sambit Samant (@I_m_Sambit) January 27, 2018
Punjab clearly has the best squad till now. #IPLAuction
The overseas players were a good pick too.
There is no stopping @lionsdenkxip ..with @AaronFinch5 ,what a deadly lineup they have.. God why is no one stopping them at the auctions.😅😁. #IPLAuction #IPL #kxip
— prajwal kedlaya (@prajkedlaya) January 27, 2018
.@lionsdenkxip team has became soo strong Finch & kl Rahul openers will see strong Punjab team #IPLAuction
— Sneha (@Shinde25sneha) January 27, 2018
Some players weren't retained, but those decisions - even if unpopular - were strategic.
ONLY #KXIP KNOW THE REAL MEANING OF RTM CARD..!!! STILL I THINK THIS IS THE YEAR OF @lionsdenkxip ..!! #IPLAuction #Kxipsquad
— AJ (@AAgamjot) January 27, 2018
But some did return. And nothing was more popular than the return of the prodigal son that is Yuvraj Singh.
@YUVSTRONG12 is back where he belongs ! Punjab da sher to @lionsdenkxip #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi #IPLAuction
— Nimarpreet Sidhu (@nimarpreetsidhu) January 27, 2018
*YUVRAJ SINGH AND KINGS XI PUNJAB* 🔥#IPLauction @lionsdenkxip
— Satnam Sohal ✍🏻 (@imSatnam_) January 27, 2018
#IPLAuction good news for all indori people.. @ashwinravi99 @YUVSTRONG12 will play for @lionsdenkxip can't wait to see yuvi paji hitting sixes at holkar stadium Indore
— piyush shukla (@piyushshukla771) January 27, 2018
Couldn’t have asked for more . Sincere thanks @lionsdenkxip for @YUVSTRONG12. No better combination then Yuvi + KXIP + Indore and me. #IPLAuction
— Jasdeep Singh (@JassiYuvian12) January 27, 2018
Time to prove again #IPLAuction @lionsdenkxip @YUVSTRONG12 pic.twitter.com/yhA8PgtgXl
— Prasanth Periasamy (@prasanth5115) January 27, 2018
Zinta after getting Yuvraj Singh for 200L (this time it's not about money 💰) @IPL @lionsdenkxip @YUVSTRONG12 @#IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/RerxBYIJcm
— Xaimah Khan (@RealXaima) January 27, 2018
Pencil sketch of @YUVSTRONG12 drawn by me.
— Arpit Paithankar (@ImArpit28) January 27, 2018
Good to see him back again in @lionsdenkxip #sketch #YuvrajSingh #IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/e397xn6pYA
More entertainment awaits on Sunday as the remaining players from the pool go under the hammer.
