Last year, PBKS could only win five matches and ended in the ninth position with only ten points.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) were among the worst-performing sides in the previous cycle, failing to qualify for playoffs in all three seasons. Last year, they could only win five matches and ended in the ninth position with only ten points.
Hence, they will look to make several key changes and assemble a fresh squad ahead of the next season. However, PBKS might also make a few surprising calls with their retention and keep some players who look set to be released.
We look at three shock retentions PBKS might make ahead of the IPL 2025 auction.
Atharva Taide looks set to be released, especially due to the emergence of Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma, but PBKS have a few solid reasons to keep him. The biggest one is his pace game, for Taide is a solid player against pace, something teams want at the top.
Taide opens the innings and can utilise the powerplay by taking on the pacers while also providing variety due to being an LHB. His spin game is also improving, and with more exposure, he is expected to get better in this area.
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Sam Curran couldn’t justify his hefty price tag in the previous two seasons, for he didn’t score consistently and was mostly expensive. However, he is still a decent all-rounder who has enough experience playing in the league and can contribute with both bat and ball if used wisely.
Further, PBKS will need a new captain after Shikhar Dhawan’s retirement, and Curran has captained the side previously. He showed tactical shrewdness by using his resources properly and setting correct fieldsets, and PBKS can look at him as their next captain.
Nathan Ellis was really unfortunate to play for Punjab Kings in the previous cycle, for he didn’t get as many games as he deserved due to the presence of Kagiso Rabada. Ellis is among the finest operators in T20 cricket, capable of doing well in all phases.
He has a range of various to remain unpredictable and has a good track record in international cricket and different T20 leagues. PBKS can retain him as one of their main bowlers and have two solid all-phase bowlers in Ellis and Arshdeep.
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