PBKS IPL Auction 2025 Review: Punjab Kings secure star power and experience, but are the right openers missing?

The IPL 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah on November 24 and 25 was a spectacle of strategy and big-ticket purchases, with 577 players vying for contracts. Among the franchises, Punjab Kings (PBKS) stood out, assembling a squad that combines experience, explosiveness, and youthful potential.

PBKS’ headline signing at the IPL Auction 2025 was Indian batting star Shreyas Iyer, who was bought for a staggering Rs 26.75 crore, making him the second most expensive player in IPL history. They also used the Right-to-Match (RTM) card to retain Arshdeep Singh for Rs 18 crore and secured the services of leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal for Rs 18 crore.

PBKS focused on a mix of high-impact players and strategic depth, adding all-rounders like Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis, as well as bolstering their bowling attack with Marco Jansen and Lockie Ferguson. The auction revealed their intent to build a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts while addressing the inconsistencies that have plagued them in previous seasons.

PBKS IPL Auction 2025 strategy: Experience and balance

Punjab Kings followed a clear trend of investing in experience and star power during the IPL 2025 auction. The franchise splurged on marquee players like Shreyas and Chahal, who bring experience and consistency. The inclusion of all-rounders like Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell reflects PBKS’s focus on versatility, while the acquisition of Jansen and Ferguson strengthens their bowling firepower.

PBKS also made calculated moves to secure promising young players such as Nehal Wadhera and Priyansh Arya, signaling their intent to build a team that balances immediate impact with future potential. This strategic blend of seasoned performers and rising stars positions PBKS as a well-rounded squad heading into IPL 2025.

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PBKS IPL Auction 2025 purchase list

Shreyas Iyer: Rs 26.75 crore

Arshdeep Singh (RTM): Rs 18 crore

Yuzvendra Chahal: Rs 18 crore

Marcus Stoinis: Rs 11 crore

Marco Jansen: Rs 7 crore

Glenn Maxwell: Rs 4.2 crore

Aaron Hardie: Rs 1.25 crore

Azmatullah Omarzai: Rs 2.4 crore

Nehal Wadhera: Rs 4.2 crore

Priyansh Arya: Rs 3.8 crore

Harnoor Pannu: Rs 30 lakh

Musheer Khan: Rs 30 lakh

Suryansh Shedge: Rs 30 lakh

Lockie Ferguson: Rs 2 crore

Vijaykumar Vyshak: Rs 1.8 crore

Yash Thakur: Rs 1.6 crore

Xavier Bartlett: Rs 80 lakh

Kuldeep Sen: Rs 80 lakh

Josh Inglis: Rs 2.6 crore

Vishnu Vinod: Rs 95 lakh

Harpreet Brar: Rs 1.5 crore

Pyla Avinash: Rs 30 lakh

Pravin Dubey: Rs 30 lakh

PBKS retained players

Shashank Singh: Rs 5.5 crore

Prabhsimran Singh: Rs 4 crore

PBKS 2025 squad strengths: Star power and versatility

Explosive batting lineup: The addition of Shreyas gives Punjab Kings a solid anchor who can stabilise the innings while attacking bowlers. With the likes of Maxwell, Stoinis and Inglis in the middle order, PBKS has the firepower to post or chase down massive totals.

Versatile bowling attack: PBKS boasts one of the strongest bowling departments with Chahal leading the charge in spin, supported by Harpreet Brar and Pravin Dubey. Whereas the pac attack too look formidable with the likes of Arshdeep, Jansen, Farguson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yash Thakur, Kuldeep Sen in the mix.

Depth in all-rounders: The presence of all-rounders like Stoinis, Maxwell, and Azmatullah Omarzai provides balance and flexibility. These players can contribute with both bat and ball, ensuring PBKS remains competitive across departments.

PBKS 2025 squad weaknesses: Lack of impactful openers

A significant weakness for Punjab Kings heading into IPL 2025 is the lack of truly impactful openers compared to other teams. While they have world-class batters in the middle order, PBKS may have to depend on the likes of Prabhsimran Singh and Inglis for the opening slots.

While these players have potential but lack the firepower and proven records of elite IPL openers like Jos Buttler or Yashasvi Jaiswal. This gap at the top could put pressure on their middle order to compensate, especially when chasing large targets or setting competitive totals.

PBKS at auction: What could PBKS have done differently?

Target specialist openers: PBKS’s middle order is strong, but the lack of a consistent opener could hurt them in crunch situations. Targeting someone like David Warner or Jos Buttler could have strengthened their lower-order hitting.

"𝐖𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐏𝐋!" 🏆

Sadda Head Coach Ricky Ponting reveals his vision for the journey ahead after the #IPL2025Auction! 🤩#RickyPonting #PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/jJy2Y8wuXZ

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) November 26, 2024

PBKS: Early prediction for IPL 2025

Punjab Kings have assembled one of their strongest squads in recent memory. With a formidable batting lineup, world-class spin options, and experienced all-rounders, PBKS appears well-equipped to challenge for the IPL 2025 title. However, their success will largely depend on how their pace attack performs and whether they can solve their finishing woes. If these areas are addressed, Punjab Kings could very well end their title drought this season.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) full squad for IPL 2025

Batters: Shreyas Iyer, Nehal Wadhera, Priyansh Arya, Harnoor Pannu, Suryansh Shedge, Shashank Singh

All-rounders: Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie, Azmatullah Omarzai, Musheer Khan, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar

Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson, Yuzvendra Chahal, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yash Thakur, Kuldeep Sen, Xavier Bartlett, Pravin Dubey

Wicketkeepers: Josh Inglis, Prabhsimran Singh, Vishnu Vinod

PBKS likely first-choice XI

Josh Inglis (Overseas, wicketkeeper), Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer (C), Glenn Maxwell (Overseas), Marcus Stoinis (Overseas), Shashank Singh, Musheer Khan, Harpreet Brar, Marco Jansen/Lockie Ferguson (Overseas), Yuzvendra Chahal, Vijaykumar Vyshak

Impact player: Kuldeep Sen