Punjab Kings entered last year’s IPL mega auction with a bold and game-changing strategy. After seasons of inconsistency, the franchise opted for a complete overhaul, retaining just two players before heading into the two-day event in Jeddah with a massive purse of ₹110.5 crore — the highest among all 10 teams. Their aggressive approach worked brilliantly as they invested heavily in Shreyas Iyer, Arshdeep Singh, and Yuzvendra Chahal. This trio played a pivotal role in taking them to the IPL 2025 final.
Although PBKS narrowly lost a thrilling title clash to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the season marked a significant turnaround for the franchise. This renewed identity and improved consistency have clearly influenced their approach ahead of the upcoming IPL mini auction. Unlike previous cycles, when wholesale changes dominated headlines, this time, PBKS have retained most of their core squad.
The notable releases include Glenn Maxwell and Josh Inglis — the latter unavailable for a significant part of the season — along with Praveen Dubey, Kuldeep Sen, and Vishnu Vinod. None of these players were central to their first-choice XI, making the retention choices both strategic and future-focused.
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With only four slots left to fill, PBKS owner Ness Wadia expressed tremendous confidence in the squad’s balance and leadership group, led by captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting. S
peaking to PTI, Wadia said, “We’ve built a culture of togetherness, and even the players we’ve released were let go with a heavy heart. The balance we’ve created and the leadership we have give us the belief that we may not even need to enter the auction. But we will look for additions that further solidify what is already a very strong unit.”
Wadia credited last year’s Jeddah mega auction as the turning point for the franchise. With Ponting and Shreyas working closely alongside an experienced support staff, he believes PBKS finally have the stability they were searching for. “We’re in a position to keep challenging — not just like last season, but for many years ahead. The job is far from done because the goal has always been to win the IPL.”
One of the biggest successes for PBKS last season was the brand of cricket they showcased. Their fearless, attacking approach earned them massive appreciation, drawing new fans into the PBKS family.
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“Some of my friends and family who never watched cricket started following our games. The team captured hearts with their instinctive and entertaining style,” Wadia added. However, he concluded with a reminder of the ultimate goal: “Nothing succeeds like winning. Everyone loves a winner, and that is exactly what we’re aiming for this season.”
