Former India player Aakash Chopra has picked the Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) probable playing XI for IPL 2025. He also selected Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh as their likely highest run-getter and wicket-taker, respectively. However, PBKS will look to end their 17-year trophy drought in IPL 2025 as well. After having retained Shashank Singh (₹5.50 crore) and Prabhsimran Singh (₹4 crore), Arshdeep (₹18 crore) and Shreyas (₹26.75 crore) were their first two buys at the mega auction last November as well.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “The XI I have made is something like this – Prabhsimran Singh, and I wish to open with either Josh Inglis or Marcus Stoinis alongside him. If they want to play Priyansh Arya, then Priyansh Arya, or else Josh Inglis with Prabhsimran Singh. Then Shreyas Iyer at No. 3. You will get Glenn Maxwell at No. 4 and Marcus Stoinis at No. 5.”
“I will keep Nehal Wadhera at No. 6. I will keep Shashank Singh at No. 7. After that, Marco Jansen at No. 8. Now you have serious depth in batting. Then Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal. Who will be the highest run-scorer – Shreyas Iyer. Who will be the highest wicket-taker – Arshdeep Singh. Who can be the most promising player – Priyansh Arya, if he gets the opportunities,” Chopra added.
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While talking about the Punjab Kings’ over-dependence on their overseas contingent, Aakash Chopra said that their strategy in IPL 2025 might be to adopt an attacking approach with the bat as well.
“What will be this team’s strategy? I think they are overreliant on their all-rounders and overseas recruits, in terms of batting, of course, because Shreyas Iyer is the mainstay, but who apart from him? Then Maxwell, Stoinis, Inglis, and whoever plays between Hardie, Marco Jansen and Azmatullah Omarzai. The strategy will be to go aggressive with the bat,” he said.
“Even in bowling, they have an eight-over bank in Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal. Don’t worry about it. Apart from that, the five to eight overs will be challenging, whether Azmatullah Omarzai or Marco Jansen bowl, because they are expensive in the IPL. They will be tested,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
