IPL 2025 mega auction: Two players from Haryana, Punjab script history, fetch a combined Rs 36 crore

PTC Web Desk: In the IPL 2025 mega auction, two players from Haryana and Punjab created history by fetching a combined Rs 36 crore. Arshdeep Singh, a bowler from Mohali in Punjab, and Yuzvendra Chahal, a spinner from Jind in Haryana, were bought by Punjab Kings for Rs 18 crore each.

Yuzvendra Chahal has set a new record by becoming the costliest Indian spinner in IPL history. Earlier playing for Rajasthan Royals, Chahal took 18 wickets in 15 matches during the last season. As the top wicket-taker in the IPL history, he has claimed 205 wickets in 160 matches since his debut in 2013.

Apart from cricket, Chahal has been serving as an Income Tax Sub-Inspector in Delhi since 2018. His father, KK Chahal, a former secretary of the Jind District Cricket Association, played a significant role in shaping his cricketing career by building a pitch for him on their farm.

The journey of Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep Singh made headlines with his outstanding performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he took 17 wickets in eight matches, including the final against South Africa. This achievement placed him among the world’s top five bowlers.

Despite early setbacks, including being overlooked for the Punjab team, Arshdeep’s determination helped him secure a place in the Under-19 squad and eventually the Indian team. His journey began with rigorous training at a cricket academy in Chandigarh, where his mother, Baljit Kaur, played a pivotal role by cycling 15 km daily to drop him off for practice.

Arshdeep’s family once considered sending him to Canada due to his struggles in securing a spot in the Punjab team. However, his coach encouraged him to pursue cricket, leading the family to give him one year to prove himself. Arshdeep’s hard work paid off as he progressed from Punjab’s Under-19 team to the IPL and international cricket.

Arshdeep debuted in the IPL in 2019 with Kings XI Punjab and quickly became the team’s second-highest wicket-taker. His consistent performances have made him a key player for the Punjab Kings in the 2025 season.

The journey of Yuzvendra Chahal

Born in Haryana's Jind, Yuzvendra Chahal started playing cricket at the tender age of 4-5. His father, KK Chahal, the secretary of the Jind District Cricket Association, built a cricket pitch for him on their farm near the railway station, nurturing his early talent.

In 2013, during an IPL match in Bengaluru, Chahal faced a harrowing incident when a teammate, under the influence of alcohol, dangled him from a balcony. Chahal revealed this shocking story in a conversation on a YouTube channel with teammates R. Ashwin and Karun Nair.

Yuzvendra credits his father, Advocate Krishna Kumar, as his first mentor. Inspired by Australian spinner Shane Warne, Chahal met Warne during the IPL in 2012. The interaction fueled his dream of representing the Indian cricket team.

As a schoolboy, Chahal practiced cricket for 4-5 hours daily. He joined coach Randhir Singh's academy in Delhi, which became a stepping stone to the IPL. Before joining the Indian team, he passionately watched matches like Zimbabwe-India in Faridabad and India-Australia in Chandigarh.

Chahal holds deep faith in Rajasthan's Salasar Balaji temple, which his family has been visiting for years. His mother, Sunita Chahal, even participates in the Sharad Purnima fair on foot annually. 

On December 22, 2020, Chahal married choreographer Dhanashree Verma in Gurugram. Their love story began during dance classes in Mumbai during the lockdown. While learning dance online, Chahal developed a bond with Dhanashree, which blossomed into love, leading to their wedding.