Punjab Kings (PBKS) retentions and releases will be interesting, for it will show whether they are looking to learn from their previous mistakes or continue repeating them.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) endured another underwhelming previous cycle, failing to qualify for playoffs in three seasons. In the last edition, they finished ninth in the point table with only five wins and ten points, just above Mumbai Indians (MI).
Despite having a quality side, PBKS kept losing games one after another, and their campaign never took off. Still, they had several positives, especially in the previous season, when a few young players showed their class amidst a disappointing run as a unit.
The quality in the squad means PBKS might not have to do a complete revamp, for they should keep the best ones and build a side around them. Their retentions and releases will be interesting, for it will show whether they are looking to learn from their previous mistakes or continue repeating them.
Liam Livingstone: Bought at a hefty INR 11.50 crores, Liam Livingstone stepped up to the hype, especially in the first two seasons. Due to injuries, he couldn’t make much of an impact in the last season, but there’s ample quality. He is among the most ferocious batters in T20 cricket, and his bowling has improved massively, for he has added more variations and got smarter.
If he comes into the auction, Livingstone will fetch a massive sum again, especially since he has gained enough experience in the league. Performance-wise, PBKS should retain him, for he was their best batter and also bowled well in the last cycle. It would be harsh to leave out your best player.
Arshdeep Singh: Among the finest T20 bowlers, Arshdeep Singh’s retention should be a no-brainer for Punjab Kings. A new-ball swing bowler and an excellent operator in the death overs, Arshdeep offers everything a team needs from their premium pacer. Further, he doesn’t use an overseas slot, either.
He was their leading wicket-taker in the previous cycle, snaring 46 wickets at 30.06 runs apiece in 42 outings. Almost all teams will go after him if he comes into the auction, so his price will surge massively. Hence, PBKS should simply keep him in one of the retention slots ahead of the auction.
Shashank Singh: Shashank Singh was among the biggest positives during the last season, emerging as the best batter of the Punjab Kings. He scored 354 runs at an average of 44.25 and a 164.65 strike rate in 14 IPL innings, including two fifties. More than these numbers, Shashank’s impact and ability to score runs under pressure stood out.
He played in tough situations almost every time but showed immense composure and ability to navigate threats. His value will be massive in the upcoming auction, but PBKS can get him back at just INR 4 crores in the uncapped category. Shashank is a long-term investment and will be a better version in the next edition.
Ashutosh Sharma: Ashutosh Sharma was another revelation in the previous edition. Despite doing the toughest job in T20 cricket – batting in the lower order and doing the finishing – Ashutosh was consistent and played well against the best of the bowlers. It was his first season in the toughest league, but Ashutosh aced it like he was always here.
Finishers are always hard to find, even if it’s a mega auction, and teams are willing to use an overseas slot for this role. And PBKS get one at just INR 4 crores without using an overseas slot. The choice should be straightforward.
Sam Curran: When Punjab Kings bought Sam Curran for INR 18.50 crores in the 2023 auction, he became the most expensive player in the league at the time. However, the performances weren’t according to the expectations in any of the two seasons. While bowling, he was expensive, and while batting, his strike rate was low, and Curran was inconsistent.
Surely, he is not worth retaining at the amount equal to the retention slab after those performances. The mega auction will further reduce his price. If PBKS want, they can use RTM or re-bid but shouldn’t retain Curran.
Jonny Bairstow: Another massive underperformer, Jonny Bairstow came with big hype but couldn’t perform anywhere close to the hype. He missed the 2023 season due to an injury and was underwhelming in the other two seasons. Bairstow scored 551 runs at an average of 26.23 and a strike rate of 148.91, including two fifties and a century, in 22 outings for the Kings.
These numbers don’t warrant retention. Even his recent form hasn’t been convincing enough. His auction value will be very low compared to the previous mega auction.
Kagiso Rabada: Kagiso Rabada was among the wickets but couldn’t create the impact PBKS would have hoped for. He consistently gave more runs than average, for his economy remained on the higher side. Rabada took 41 wickets at 24.63 runs apiece but conceded 8.93 runs per over.
His price surely won’t be as high as the retention slab. There will be several quality overseas players available, so PBKS can get better options. If the price is reasonable, PBKS can use RTM since they will have two of them available if they go with our options.
Harshal Patel: It might be a harsh decision, but PBKS will have to release Harshal Patel. He was their best bowler and kept improving with each game. However, he is still susceptible and can often go for plenty, as visible in the past.
Hence, rather than retaining Harshal, PBKS can let him come to the auction and see how his price goes. Given the number of options available in the mega auction, there’s a massive possibility of his price being lower than the retention slab. So, PBKS can use RTM, which should save their purse to an extent.
For more updates, follow CricXtasy on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Telegram, and YouTube.
