PBKS IPL 2025 Retention: Punjab opt for complete overhaul ahead of auction; Pant could be top captaincy candidate

The Punjab Kings, like they almost always seem to do before mega-auctions, have largely wiped off their slate, cut their losses and opted for almost a complete overhaul in their desire to be back among the IPL elite, having last made the playoffs in 2014. With Ricky Ponting now at the helm, they will feel this is the year they finally end their playoff hoodoo.

Which players have PBKS retained?

Shashank Singh (uncapped) – Rs 5.5 crore

Prabhsimran Singh (uncapped) – Rs 4 crore

Purse remaining: Rs 110.5 crore

Rationale behind PBKS’s retentions

Punjab Kings are the only team to not retain a capped player ahead of the mega-auction. Prabhsimran and Shashank have proved what they can do in the IPL and while this is a rather feeble attempt at maintaining continuity, it is an indication that they expected the pair to go for higher prices at the auction.

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Elsewhere, the decision to not retain Arshdeep Singh is perplexing, considering he is arguably the second-best Indian pacer in T20 cricket (behind a certain Jasprit Bumrah). But the lack of retentions do mean that the Kings have several RTM cards – all of which, if used smartly, could help them be more frugal and get back players.

What PBKS might look for at the auction

Well, an entire team. They have to pretty much start from scratch and that means plenty of permutations and combinations are possible. They will, of course, need a captain too.

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Because they have just two players on their roster currently, they will probably need some high-quality batters, some adept bowlers and more than a few match-winners, which, bluntly put, does not take rocket science to figure out.

Players PBKS could target at the auction

This is where things get interesting. Rishabh Pant could be a dream buy for the franchise. For two major reasons. Firstly, he will get to captain an IPL franchise (which is reportedly what he wants), and secondly, he will reunite with Ponting. Pant, due to his off-field value, will also give the franchise a boost and could be the first step towards reinvigoration. A skipper of Shreyas Iyer’s ilk would not harm PBKS either.

There are also murmurs that Ponting still regards Steve Smith very highly. His T20 numbers have declined in recent years but he remains a shrewd captain, who alongside Ponting, won the most recent edition of the MLC (Major League Cricket).

Jos Buttler, while having much better T20 stats than Smith, could also fulfill a similar role: opening the batting and captaining the side. And if the Kings are not looking that long-term, Faf du Plessis, as a gun opening batter and captain, could also be an alternative. Du Plessis, for what it is worth, led the St Lucia Kings (Punjab Kings’ sister franchise) to their maiden Caribbean Premier League title in early October.

Glenn Maxwell could also figure in their conversations, by virtue of being a genuine game-changer. Another spin-bowling all-rounder they could consider is Rachin Ravindra, who like Maxwell and Smith, was a part of Washington Freedom at the MLC. Liam Livingstone, meanwhile, could be bought back via the RTM.

Also Read | IPL 2025 Retention: Top RTM candidates in upcoming mega auction

They will also have an enormous pool of fast bowlers to choose from. Kagiso Rabada could be targeted, perhaps even using the RTM. Going back in for Arshdeep is not the toughest decision in the world and with Ponting calling the shots, they might seek a couple of Australian pacers – perhaps choosing between Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson.

Among Indian bowlers, Mohammed Shami could be at the forefront of their shopping list, alongside Mohammed Siraj – both of them feasible options because of Punjab’s financial situation. Yuzvendra Chahal might also be an apt purchase, especially with them playing a majority of their home matches in Mullanpur, which is a decently-sized ground. The easier (arguably) option would be to buy back Rahul Chahar.

All things said, the Punjab Kings have a fair bit of work to do at the auction. The good thing is they have more money than everyone else (significantly more, in fact). How they use it, though, is another matter altogether.