Statement signings punctuate Punjab Kings' business

Kagiso Rabada, Jonny Bairstow and Shikhar Dhawan are the headline additions on day one of the auction

Punjab Kings' remodelled squad for the 2022 IPL season will be led by Kagiso Rabada and Jonny Bairstow following the conclusion of day one of the mega auction.

Following last season's sixth-place finish in the competition, they kept on just two players during the retention window.

They started the auction with only Arshdeep Singh and Mayank Agarwal in place.

It meant they arrived at the weekend with plenty of work to do - but they'll reflect on what has been an encouraging start.

Shikhar Dhawan was the very first addition of the auction for 8.25 crore (£784,579) to bolster the top-order after the loss of KL Rahul to Lucknow Super Giants.

Kings co-owner Mohit Burman said: “We’re happy with what we paid for Shikhar and let's hope he performs well."

Two deals later they moved again to complete the 9.25 crore (£882,346) capture of Kagiso Rabada.

After missing out on Ishan Kishan, Kings quickly moved to get Jonny Bairstow (6.75 crore).

^{Jonny Bairstow (Francois Nel/Getty Images)}

“I’m delighted to be joining the Punjab Kings, hopefully, this year will be a really successful season, I can’t wait to see you all there,” said the England wicketkeeper-batter.

A premier spinner was clearly on the agenda but Kings were thwarted in attempts to sign Wanindu Hasaranga or Kuldeep Yadav, while bids for allrounder Shardul Thakur also fell by the wayside.

It took 5.75 crore to capture Rahul Chahar and another to stage a late, but successful, offer for Shahrukh Khan at 9 crore).

They were able to bring back Harpreet Brar and Prabhsimran Singh and concluded their business when Ishan Porel was picked up for 25 lakhs (£24,441).

Dewald Brevis was among the players Kings went hard for but were unable to secure, but many of their pursuits came off.

With two overseas berths left, day two will be about filling those slots shrewdly and bolstering their middle-order.

Punjab Kings

Shikhar Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada, Jonny Bairstow, Rahul Chahar, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Ishan Porel