IPL Auction 2024: Team-wise one player who was unlucky to be released
Ahead of the mini-auction, let’s know one unlucky player from each side who didn’t get retained from his franchise.
8. Punjab Kings - Bhanuka Rajapaksa
Sri Lanka’s middle-order batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa was a part of Punjab Kings (PBKS) for the last two seasons (2022 and 2023). In 2022, he got nine games and amassed 206 runs at a sensational strike rate of 159.69. Following his brilliant batting, the PBKS team management extended the contract with him for 2023.
This time, he kicked off the tournament in style, guiding his side to a seven-run win against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), with a scintillating half-century off just 32 deliveries. In the next game against Rajasthan Royals (RR), a shot from Shikhar Dhawan hit his elbow at the non-striker’s end and he was forced to miss further matches.
In the entire season, the 32-year-old played only four matches due to his elbow injury and in these outings, he could accumulate only 71 runs at a strike rate of 114.52. The PBKS team management didn’t cut him some slack, releasing him from the squad.
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