New Delhi: Punjab Kings (PBKS) confirmed their final retentions ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction on Thursday, October 31. Punjab Kings have retained only two players and decided to free up the majority of their purse for the auction. They have retained uncapped Indian batters Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh for Rs 5.5 crore and Rs 4 crore, respectively.
Former India batter Shikhar Dhawan, who was their designated captain last season, has already retired from all forms of cricket and was thus released by the franchise. Punjab Kings also let go of several other big names, including the likes of Sam Curran, Kagiso Rabada and Liam Livingstone. Curran was the stand-in skipper for Punjab Kings last season as he stood in for Dhawan in his absence.
Punjab Kings bought Curran for Rs 18.50 crore at the IPL 2023 mini-auction, making him their most expensive signing of all time. Curran scored 270 runs and picked up 16 wickets for Punjab Kings in IPL 2024 and was one of their top performers. Punjab Kings will head into the IPL 2025 mega auction with 4 RTM cards and might want to use one on the English all-rounder to get him back.
New era for Punjab Kings under Ricky Ponting
Punjab Kings are set to usher into a new era under their new head coach Ricky Ponting. The former Australia captain was roped in by PBKS earlier this year after getting sacked by the Delhi Capitals, who replaced him with former India cricketer Hemang Badani. PBKS will relay heavily on Ponting’s experience and expertise to build a squad that can challenge for the title.
Punjab Kings retained players list for IPL 2025: PBKS have retained two uncapped players ahead of the mega auction. They have decided to keep only Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh. IPL Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
