Punjab Kings made headlines by investing INR 26.75 crore in Shreyas Iyer, who is expected to take over as captain. Ricky Ponting’s influence as the new head coach is evident, with five of their eight overseas players hailing from Australia. A significant revamp in their playing XI is anticipated, with only a few players from last season—Prabhsimran Singh, Shashank Singh, and Harpreet Brar—likely to maintain key roles.
Table of Contents
Punjab Kings
Number of Players: 25/25
Indian players:17
Overseas players: 8
Retained players (2): Shashank Singh (5.5 Cr), Prabhsimran Singh (4 Cr)
Players Bought in the Auction (20)
- Noor Ahmad (10 Cr)
- Ravichandran Ashwin (9.75 Cr)
- Devon Conway (6.25 Cr)
- Khaleel Ahmed (4.80 Cr)
- Rachin Ravindra (4 Cr)
- Rahul Tripathi (3.40 Cr)
- Anshul Kamboj (3.40 Cr)
- Vijay Shankar (1.20 Cr)
- Sam Curran (2.40 Cr)
- Gurjapneet Singh (2.20 Cr)
- Nathan Ellis (2 Cr)
- Deepak Hooda (1.70 Cr)
- Jamie Overton (1.50 Cr)
- Vansh Bedi (55L)
- Mukesh Choudhary (30L)
- Shreyas Gopal (30L)
- Ramakrishna Ghosh (30L)
- Kamlesh Nagarkoti (30L)
- Andre Siddharth (30L)
- Shaik Rasheed (30L)
It’s safe to say that this has been Punjab Kings’ most successful auction in years. Armed with the largest purse, they made bold moves to secure key targets such as Shreyas Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Arshdeep Singh. The first day also saw them reunite with Glenn Maxwell while making a significant investment in his Australian teammate Marcus Stoinis, who could also serve as an opener.
In past seasons, PBKS struggled with batting depth, but that issue appears resolved this time. They’ve also added uncapped sensation Priyansh Arya, who recently gained attention. With solid options across all departments, PBKS now look like a well-rounded team.
PBKS Possible First 12 (Including Impact Player)
- Josh Inglis (wk)
- Prabhsimran Singh
- Marcus Stoinis
- Shreyas Iyer
- Glenn Maxwell
- Nehal Wadhera
- Shashank Singh
- Marco Jansen
- Harpreet Brar
- Yash Thakur/Kuldeep Sen/Vijaykumar Vyshak
- Arshdeep Singh
- Yuzvendra Chahal
PBKS Squad Overview
Batters: Shreyas Iyer, Shashank Singh (retained), Nehal Wadhera, Harnoor Singh Pannu, Priyansh Arya, Pyla Avinash
Wicketkeepers: Josh Inglis, Vishnu Vinod, Prabhsimran Singh (retained)
Allrounders: Glenn Maxwell (spin), Marcus Stoinis (pace), Marco Jansen (pace), Harpreet Brar (spin), Azmatullah Omarzai (pace), Aaron Hardie (pace), Musheer Khan (spin), Suryansh Shedge (pace)
Spinners: Yuzvendra Chahal, Pravin Dubey
Fast Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh (RTM), Lockie Ferguson, Yash Thakur, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Kuldeep Sen, Xavier Bartlett
SWOT Analysis of Punjab Kings (PBKS) Squad Ahead of IPL 2025
Strengths
- All-rounders: A balanced mix of versatile all-rounders like Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Marco Jansen enhances depth in both batting and bowling.
- Bowling Unit: Strong pace attack featuring Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson, and Kuldeep Sen, supported by quality spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Harpreet Brar.
- Wicketkeeper-Batters: Options like Josh Inglis and Prabhsimran Singh provide flexibility in the top and middle orders.
Weaknesses
- Unproven Batting Core: Heavy reliance on experienced Shreyas Iyer amid a relatively young batting group.
- Injury Concerns: Players like Lockie Ferguson and Glenn Maxwell are prone to injuries, potentially disrupting momentum.
- Inconsistent Performers: Retained players like Harpreet Brar and Azmatullah Omarzai have shown flashes of brilliance but lack consistent impact.
Opportunities
- Emerging Talents: Young players like Nehal Wadhera and Harnoor Singh Pannu can shine with proper guidance.
- Chahal’s Spin Wizardry: Effective utilization of Yuzvendra Chahal’s experience on spin-friendly tracks could be game-changing.
- Varied All-rounder Options: Depth in all-rounders offers tactical flexibility in match situations.
Threats
- Dependence on Iyer and Maxwell: Over-reliance on key players could backfire against quality opposition.
- Pace Bowling Fatigue: Sustained workloads for pacers like Jansen and Bartlett could lead to burnout.
- Team Cohesion: Integrating multiple new players might hinder early tournament momentum.
Read More: IPL 2025 Mega Auction Roundup: How the Ten Teams Line Up After the Mega Auction
FAQs
Which top players did Punjab Kings sign in the auction?
Punjab Kings secured Shreyas Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, and reunited with Glenn Maxwell, while also adding Marcus Stoinis to their squad.
How have PBKS addressed their batting depth issues?
PBKS strengthened their batting lineup by acquiring impactful players like Marcus Stoinis and uncapped talent Priyansh Arya.
What role is expected of Marcus Stoinis in the team?
Marcus Stoinis could serve as a versatile player, with the potential to open the batting and contribute in multiple roles.
How does this auction compare to PBKS’s past efforts?
This auction is regarded as one of PBKS’s best in years, with the team securing top targets and achieving a balanced squad across all departments.
