Punjab Kings might release Sam Curran ahead of IPL 2024: Aakash Chopra

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that the Punjab Kings (PBKS) may think about releasing Sam Curran before the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction. At the Indian Premier League 2023 auction, Curran was purchased by Punjab Kings for an astounding sum of INR 18.5 crore, but had a miserable outing this year as PBKS failed to make it to the playoffs yet again.

In the IPL 2023, Curran had a decent strike rate of 135.96 while scoring 276 runs in 13 innings. He didn't play as many game-changing knocks as he did for the Chennai Super Kings, though. Curran was purchased for a record-breaking sum in the auction, and the reason behind it was his tremendous outing in England's victory at the T20 World Cup in 2022. But unfortunately, he could not quite live up to the hype.

Chopra reviewed the performances of some of the noteworthy purchases made in the recently finished Indian Premier League. He said investment was fruitless on Curran and the franchise might choose to release him the following year.

"If you look at Sam Curran, he was bought for a lot of money, the most expensive player. How was his performance? I would say it was extremely 50-50. Return on investment is not in the positive. They might even release him ahead of the next year," he said speaking on his YouTube channel.

Use of Curran by PBKS as a new-ball bowler reduced Arshdeep efficacy: Chopra

He further affirmed that the Punjab Kings' pre-acquisition preparation wasn't adequate before they signed the seam-bowling all-rounder. Chopra also claimed that the way the franchise used Curran as a new-ball bowler hampered Arshdeep Singh's productivity.

 "You should try to understand why this is happening. Many times a player comes and you run after him to buy him, of course to acquire that talent, but you have probably not judged fully where he fits in your team. Sam Curran is a good example. He has the ability to bowl with the new ball, although the new ball remains 50-50 in Indian conditions. To give the new ball to him, you put Arshdeep Singh on ice," he added.

"You said you will give the new ball to only one left-arm fast bowler, so Sam Curran you bowl. After half the season, you suddenly realized that you are unable to use Curran fully," Chopra concluded.