Punjab Kings (PBKS) entered the IPL 2025 mega-auction with a massive purse of INR 110.50 crore after retaining only Shashank and Prabhsimran Singh. With a focus on revamping their squad, the franchise made some major moves, including signing Shreyas Iyer for INR 26.75 crore, Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal for INR 18 crore each, Marcus Stoinis for INR 11 crore, and Marco Jansen for INR 7 crore.
They also acquired Glenn Maxwell and promising talent Nehal Wadhera for INR 4.20 crore each, among other impactful signings. The revamped Punjab Kings squad now boasts a solid core, fueling hopes for their maiden IPL title. Co-owner Preity Zinta expressed her satisfaction with the auction outcomes, revealing that the team secured around 90% of the players they had targeted.
She emphasized the franchise’s intent to start afresh while also adding local talent like Arshdeep Singh, Nehal Wadhera, and Harpreet Brar, which aligns with their goal of building a team connected to its roots.
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“We wanted to start completely new, with a brand-new team and approach. Some hits and misses occurred, but most were hits. If you get above 90% of your targets at an auction, it’s a great result. And we achieved that,” Preity Zinta shared during her post-auction interview. “Having local boys like Arshdeep, Harpreet, and Nehal in the squad is particularly exciting. They bring not just skill but a deep connection to our Punjab roots,” she added.
While Preity Zinta expressed joy over the new squad, she also acknowledged the bittersweet aspect of parting ways with some long-serving players. Despite the difficult decisions, she remains optimistic about the future and expects a strong showing in the upcoming season.
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“Auctions are always nerve-wracking. There’s a lot of excitement but also tough choices to make. While I feel a bit sad for the players we had to let go, I’m thrilled about the talent we’ve brought in. I truly believe this new squad has the potential to make history for Punjab Kings,” Preity Zinta said, looking forward to IPL 2025.
With a refreshed lineup and a strategic mix of experience and youth, PBKS aims to rewrite their IPL story and finally lift the coveted trophy.
