Punjab Kings Retention List IPL 2026: Release Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis With ₹11.5 Crore Purse

Punjab Kings have finalized their retention list for the IPL 2026 season, making calculated decisions by releasing their Australian duo of Glenn Maxwell and Josh Inglis while retaining 21 players from their IPL 2025 campaign. The franchise, which finished as runners-up last season after topping the league table with 19 points, has opted for strategic squad continuity ahead of the December 16 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi. With captain Shreyas Iyer leading the retained core and INR 11.50 crore available in their auction purse, Punjab Kings enters the mini-auction with clear objectives to strengthen specific positions that can help them clinch their maiden IPL trophy.

PBKS’s Strategic Retention Philosophy

After their most successful IPL season in franchise history that saw Punjab Kings reach the final for only the second time, the team maintained momentum by retaining the core that delivered consistent performances throughout IPL 2025. The retention strategy reflects lessons learned from championship-quality cricket, prioritizing young Indian talent, proven match-winners, and squad stability over expensive overseas players who underperformed or became unavailable.

Under the leadership of captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting, PBKS transformed from perennial underachievers to genuine title contenders. The franchise’s decision to retain 21 of 25 players demonstrates confidence in the existing squad composition while creating strategic flexibility through targeted releases.

Punjab Kings’ Complete Retained Players List for IPL 2026

The retention of 21 players demonstrates Punjab Kings’ commitment to building around a strong Indian core while maintaining flexibility for targeted overseas additions at the auction. The franchise has retained 11 Indian players and 10 overseas players, ensuring balance across all departments.

The Glenn Maxwell Release: End of a Disappointing Third Stint

Perhaps the most significant decision in Punjab Kings’ retention list is the release of Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, whose underwhelming IPL 2025 campaign failed to justify his INR 4.20 crore salary. The 37-year-old struggled to replicate the explosive form that made him a PBKS hero during his first stint in 2014 when he smashed consecutive scores of 95, 89, and 95.

Maxwell managed just 48 runs in six matches for PBKS during IPL 2025, with a dismal average of 8.00 and strike rate of 97.95—numbers that pale in comparison to his previous heroics. The stark decline in productivity, coupled with an injury that cut short his season, made his release an inevitable decision for the franchise management.

Glenn Maxwell: IPL 2014 vs IPL 2025 Comparison

The statistics reveal a catastrophic fall in effectiveness, with Maxwell losing nearly 60 strike rate points and averaging in single digits—a far cry from the Big Show that Punjab fans remembered. His four wickets with the ball couldn’t compensate for the batting failures, and when injury struck midway through the tournament, it effectively ended his PBKS journey.

The franchise explored trade options for Maxwell before the retention deadline but found no interested parties willing to take on his contract. Consequently, PBKS made the pragmatic decision to release him and redistribute the funds toward more impactful acquisitions at the mini-auction.

Josh Inglis: Personal Reasons Force Surprise Exit

The release of Josh Inglis represents the most unexpected development in Punjab Kings’ retention announcement, considering he had delivered consistent performances during IPL 2025. The Australian wicketkeeper-batsman scored 278 runs in 11 matches at an average of 30.88 and an impressive strike rate of 162.57, including one half-century.

However, unlike Maxwell’s performance-based release, Inglis’s departure stemmed from personal circumstances that made him unavailable for the majority of IPL 2026. Head coach Ricky Ponting revealed that Inglis himself contacted the franchise management on the retention deadline day to inform them of his unavailability.

PBKS Head Coach Explains Inglis Release

Ricky Ponting provided insight into the difficult decision to release Inglis, revealing the personal considerations behind the move.

“Josh reached out to us explaining that he will be unavailable for the majority of the IPL 2026 season due to personal and familial reasons,” Ponting stated. “While we wanted to retain him based on his excellent performances last year, it wouldn’t make sense to hold onto a player who can’t commit to the full tournament.”

Reports suggest that Inglis, who was acquired for INR 2.60 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction, is getting married and has prioritized family commitments over cricket during the IPL 2026 window. The Australian has also confirmed he will not register for the December mini-auction, effectively ruling himself out of the entire season.

The statement underscores Punjab Kings’ practical approach—rather than waste a roster spot and valuable salary cap space on an unavailable player, the franchise chose to release Inglis and target a replacement wicketkeeper-batsman at the auction who can commit to the full tournament duration.

Other Strategic Releases

Beyond the headline departures of Maxwell and Inglis, Punjab Kings released three additional players to optimize squad composition and free up minor auction resources.

Punjab Kings’ Complete Released Players List

Aaron Hardie, the Australian all-rounder acquired as backup, didn’t feature in a single match during IPL 2025 despite being part of the squad. With Punjab’s middle-order and all-rounder slots occupied by better-performing players like Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Shashank Singh, Hardie became surplus to requirements.

Kuldeep Sen, the Indian fast bowler, also failed to break into the playing XI throughout the season. With Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson, Marco Jansen, and other pacers ahead in the pecking order, Sen’s release frees up a roster spot for potentially more impactful domestic fast bowling talent at the auction.

Praveen Dubey, the wrist spinner who played just one match in IPL 2025, was released as Punjab Kings already possess quality spin options in Yuzvendra Chahal and Harpreet Brar. The franchise deemed him expendable while looking to add depth in other departments.

The Strategic Shreyas Iyer Retention

Punjab Kings’ most crucial retention decision was keeping captain Shreyas Iyer, whose transformational leadership justified every rupee of his tournament-record INR 26.75 crore price tag from the IPL 2025 mega auction. The 30-year-old led from the front, guiding PBKS to the top of the league table and all the way to the final.

Iyer’s calm captaincy, middle-order stability, and ability to absorb pressure in crucial situations proved invaluable throughout the campaign. His retention alongside fellow senior pros like Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, and Marcus Stoinis ensures experienced leadership across batting, bowling, and all-round departments.

The franchise management publicly expressed confidence in Iyer’s leadership vision for IPL 2026, with CEO Satish Menon stating: “By securing key performers like Captain Shreyas Iyer and spearhead Arshdeep Singh, we ensure stability in leadership and continuity in our tactical approach.”

Auction Strategy: Targeting Specific Positions

With INR 11.50 crore remaining and four roster slots available (including two overseas positions), Punjab Kings enters the December 16 mini-auction with precise priorities rather than extensive squad overhaul requirements.

Primary Auction Targets:

1. Wicketkeeper-Batsman Replacement for Josh Inglis: With Inglis unavailable and Prabhsimran Singh as the primary keeper, PBKS needs a versatile wicketkeeper who can bat anywhere in the top six and provide overseas flexibility if required.

2. Power-Hitting Finisher to Replace Glenn Maxwell: Maxwell’s release creates a vacancy for an overseas or Indian power-hitter capable of providing late-innings acceleration and finishing matches in high-pressure situations.

3. Quality Spin Bowling Backup: While Yuzvendra Chahal is the frontline spinner, his injury during the latter stages of IPL 2025 exposed PBKS’s lack of quality spin depth beyond Harpreet Brar. A proven spinner who can step in when needed is essential.

4. Death-Overs Pace Specialist: Despite having Arshdeep Singh and Lockie Ferguson, Punjab struggled when Ferguson was injured. A reliable Indian or overseas death-overs specialist would provide crucial insurance.

5. Young Domestic Talent: With limited purse remaining, PBKS will target emerging Indian players who offer value-for-money options and long-term investment potential across batting and bowling departments.

Punjab Kings’ approach suggests surgical acquisitions focused on filling specific gaps rather than chasing marquee names. The franchise has learned from seasons past where excessive squad churn disrupted team chemistry, opting instead for targeted bidding that prioritizes role clarity and squad continuity.

Building Around Shreyas Iyer’s Leadership

The retention of Shreyas Iyer as captain signals Punjab Kings’ long-term leadership commitment. The middle-order batsman demonstrated exceptional tactical awareness during IPL 2025, nearly guiding the franchise to their maiden title before falling short in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

With a largely unchanged squad and clearer role definitions heading into IPL 2026, Iyer will have the consistency needed to implement strategic plans effectively. The combination of Iyer’s leadership, Ricky Ponting’s coaching acumen, Arshdeep Singh’s death-bowling mastery, and Yuzvendra Chahal’s wicket-taking ability creates a formidable core capable of challenging for the championship.

The franchise’s philosophy of backing young Indian talent while maintaining experienced overseas balance positions them perfectly for sustained success across multiple IPL cycles. Players like Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shashank Singh, and Musheer Khan represent the future, while veterans like Stoinis, Chahal, and Jansen provide immediate championship-winning pedigree.

Read More: Mumbai Indians Retain Core Stars: MI Lock 20 Players Ahead of IPL 2026 Mini-Auction

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