IPL 2018 Auctions: Virat Kohli says 'Viru-Pa has gone mad' on KXIP's shopping spree

The IPL 2018 auctions promised to be a bigger and better affair than all previous editions. And as the things have unrolled in the last two days, the claims seem to have been true ones. Different teams managed to raise the eyebrows for different reasons. Among them were the Kings XI Punjab. KXIP have been struggling to find consistency in the tournament ever since the 2014 edition of the IPL.

And during the IPL 2018 auctions, there was a moment on day one when the KXIP franchise went on to bid for five players in a row. This led to the social media erupt as well. The fans even joked about how Preity Zinta is a prime example of a lady going to shopping. All of a sudden the Kings became the centre of attraction. Interestingly, they managed to draw the attention of the Indian players miles away from home.

After team India notched up a consolation, yet historic win in the Johannesburg Test, the players were heard talking about the auctions among themselves. Reportedly, as per the news in the Mumbai Mirror, Indian skipper Virat Kohli was heard quoting ‘Viru Pa has gone mad’. Well, it is being speculated that his comment, obviously made on the lighter note, was in the reference of the Kings XI Punjab going on a reckless spree.

Virender Sehwag is the Director of Cricketing Operations of the KXIP franchise. While Preity Zinta was super excited about the auctions, Sehwag could not hold back his emotions either as even he looked interested in buying almost every player.

Contrasting cases of Indian openers

It is worth noting that among the various buys of the Kings XI Punjab, one of the expensive ones was that of opener KL Rahul. KL Rahul has been in sublime form in the shortest format of the game and has a T20I hundred to his name as well. The Kings shelled out INR 11 crore to buy his services.

At the very same time, it was disheartening to see Murali Vijay going unsold. Vijay, who has two centuries for the Chennai Super Kings to his name, found no takers at the auctions. Perhaps, even the franchises have put him in the Test cricket bracket.

For more updates on the IPL Auctions, follow CricTracker.