'Delhi boys going to Punjab not new' - Twitter reacts cheekily as Kagiso Rabada bags INR 9.25 crore deal with Punjab Kings

Kagiso Rabada has been one of the finest quicks to have played the IPL and his reputation of being an impactful bowler has helped him find in finding a new team this season. The South African fast bowler was sold to Punjab Kings for a whopping INR 9.25 crore at the ongoing IPL 2022 mega auction. Rabada would once again be expected to showcase some remarkable performances with the ball in hand for the 2014 finalists in the upcoming season as their quest for a maiden IPL crown continues.

Meanwhile, Punjab Kings had only made two mandatory retentions on November 30, 2021, which included explosive opener Mayank Agarwal and promising left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh. The Proteas speedster would be looking forward to working in tandem with Arshdeep and making the new ball do the talking this time around. Kagiso Rabada’s inclusion would bolster PBKS’ pace attack and it remains to be seen how many more pacers would be roped in by the franchise at the two-day event.

Kagiso Rabada’s performances over the years

Rabada represented the Delhi franchise for five seasons. He was first roped in by them in the 2017 season. He played six matches that year and bagged six scalps. Despite that, Delhi showed faith in him and retained him at the 2018 IPL mega auction. However, a back injury ruled him out for the season.

A newly formed Delhi Capitals once again wanted the tall fast bowler in their scheme of things for the 2019 season and he obliged by registering 25 scalps from 12 games and finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker in that edition. Delhi managed to make the playoffs for the first time after 2012 where they lost to the eventual finalists Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier 2.

The 2020 season turned out to be Kagiso Rabada’s best year in the IPL as he took 30 wickets from 17 matches and played an instrumental role in Delhi making a maiden final appearance where they went down to the Mumbai Indians. The South African was adjudged the Purple Cap winner of that edition.

The Proteas pacer spearhead nonetheless, looked a bit out of touch as compared to the previous two seasons managing just 15 scalps as DC were knocked out in Qualifier 2 losing to KKR in 2021. While his South African teammate Anrich Nortje was retained by the Capitals ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction, they showed no interest in having Rabada on board.

Follow CricTracker’s IPL 2022 mega auction live blog here.

Here’s how Twitter reacted as Kagiso Rabada was picked by the Punjab Kings

Kagiso Rabada picked by Punjab Kings for 9.25 Crore INR. He'll bowl a maximum of 408 balls in IPL 2022. Here's what he'll get for each ball in following currencies.

🇮🇳 2.27 lakh INR
🇺🇸 3000 USD
🇬🇧 2200 GBP
🇦🇺 4200 AUD
🇿🇦 45,600 Rand
🇵🇰 5.25 lakh PKR#IPLMegaAuction2022 pic.twitter.com/zD08ECrdcD

— ISMAIL BARRI (@ismailbarri34) February 12, 2022

I am glad that KG Rabada is collecting his coins at the IPL. The man has worked hard to be one of the best bowlers in the world.

— Lumkile (@Lumi_Mkhize) February 12, 2022

Just got sent this. If Rabada plays every game, he will get about R46000 per ball he bowls 🤯🤯 #IPL2022 🏏

— Gills (@gpricey23) February 12, 2022

Top three most expensive players from marquee list in IPL mega auction 2022:

12.25 crores – Shreyas Iyer to KKR
9.25 crores – Kagiso Rabada to PBKS
8.25 crores – Shikhar Dhawan to PBKS#IPL2022megaauctions pic.twitter.com/GYg3nO6d3C

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) February 12, 2022

Shikhar Dhawan and Kagiso Rabada for Punjab. Delhi boys going back to Punjab isn't a new stuff. 😉

Anticipating that Punjab kings will end up having best team in this season. #IPLMegaAuction2022 #IPL

— Yuvraj Sharma (@SharmaYuv1) February 12, 2022

You've got to feel for Delhi Capitals. Lost Dhawan, Iyer, Rabada and Ashwin. Need to make up for these losses for sure!#IPLAuction

— Sahil Bakshi (@SBakshi13) February 12, 2022

Shikhar Dhawan as PBKS captain anyone? Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh at the death should be fun to watch.

— Kartik Sethi (@MugglooBaccha21) February 12, 2022

Delhi letting go of Shikhar Dhawan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada and skipper Shreyas Iyer in quick succession.

Owners look indifferent. I don't know what are they thinking! #IPL2022MegaAuction

— Arindam Paul (@arindampaul1224) February 12, 2022