Which Players will Punjab Kings Target in IPL 2025 Auction with INR 110.5 Crore Purse? Analysing Full PBKS Wishlist and Key Areas They Need to Fill

Punjab Kings (PBKS) have retained two players ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. They have spent INR 9.50 crores and have INR 110.50 crores to work with during the auction. Before delving into PBKS’ strategy for the auction, let’s analyse each player they have retained and their expertise.

1. Prabhsimran Singh: Prabhsimran Singh is a powerplay aggressor who can take on pacers when no movement is available early on. Further, his game vs spin is also encouraging, even though he has found ways to get out to them lately. He also keeps the wickets.
2. Shashank Singh: Shashank Singh is among the finest domestic talents. He is skilled vs pace and can hit even shorter lengths at will. His game vs spin is also decent, making him an ideal middle-order batter.

Also Read: Which Players will Delhi Capitals Target in IPL 2025 Auction with INR 73 Crore Purse? Analysing Full DC Wishlist and Key Areas They Need to Fill

Right now, this is how Punjab Kings’ Playing XI is set up:

1. Prabhsimran Singh
2. ________________
3. ________________
4. ________________
5. Shashank Singh
6. ________________
7. ________________
8. ________________
9. ________________
10.  ________________
11. ________________

Now that it’s clear where the voids are, we can explore how Punjab Kings might go about their business in the IPL 2025 Auction.

What do Punjab Kings require in the IPL 2025 auction?

Role No.1 – An opener who is solid vs spin, preferably a LHB

1. Devon Conway: Devon Conway will fit perfectly in the PBKS setup. He is highly skilled vs spin and can manoeuvre the fields against them. He can play long innings, allowing Prabhsimran to take his chances early on.
2. Rachin Ravindra: Rachin Ravindra’s shot-making ability will be fruitful in Mullanpur. His spin game is in the best health, and Rachin also has the game against pacers. He will be a long-term investment.
3. David Warner: A slightly risky choice due to his waning skillsets, but David Warner, if at his peak, will be a perfect partner for Prabhsimran. He is terrific vs spin and handles pacers brilliantly while providing an LHB dimension. He is a proven performer.
4. Jos Buttler: Jos Buttler might complement Prabhsimran well, even though he is not an LHB. He is equally capable against pace and spin and will get some time to build, something he requires, due to Prabhsimran’s presence. He is a proven performer.
5. Ben Duckett: Ben Duckett is an aggressive batter who will match his partner in scoring rate and utilise the field restrictions properly. He employs different types of sweeps and reverse sweeps against spinners. Further, he also has the power against pacers and is a consistent boundary-hitter.
6. Evin Lewis: Evin Lewis is slowly returning to his beast mode again. Lewis can thwack all lengths against pacers in form, including short stuff. He is also skilled vs spin and has boundary-hitting shots to unsettle them.

Role No.2 – Two spin hitters, one of them should be LHB, at No.3 and No.4

1. Glenn Maxwell: Glenn Maxwell is a game-breaker in the middle overs who handles most spin bowling well. He is also powerful against fuller-length deliveries vs pace and can be flexible at No.3 or 4. He also offers useful off-spin, but the team must slot him with a pace-hitter to shield him against hard lengths.
2. Harry Brook: Harry Brook is a solid spin player who can access all areas. He also has power vs pace and has improved massively overall. Brook can be flexible with his batting position and can bat anywhere between No.3 and 6.
3. Rahul Tripathi: Rahul Tripathi offers precisely what a team requires at No.3. He is seriously skilled vs spin and targets unusual areas. He can also hit fuller-length deliveries vs pace, even though he gets restricted against hard lengths and other short stuff.
4. Venkatesh Iyer: Venkatesh Iyer’s intent vs spin has been an issue, but he has the game to smoke them in the middle overs. Further, his game against pace has improved massively and showcased good technique last season. He can be flexible with his batting position and also bowl medium-pace.
5. Nitish Rana: Nitish Rana is a genuine spin-hitter who can hit all types of spinners at will. He can be flexible with his batting position, for he can bat at either No.3 or 4 according to the requirement. He also bowls a bit of off-spin.
6. Nehal Wadhera: Punjab Kings have the budget and should go all-out to get Nehal Wadhera. He is skilled against spin, and his pace game is also well-equipped. He can bat anywhere between No.3 and 6, even though his best utilisation will be at No.3 or 4.
7. Sameer Rizvi: Sameer Rizvi mostly batted in the lower order for CSK in whatever limited opportunities he got. However, he is supremely skilful against spinners and can target them all around the ground. He will be perfectly suited for No.3 or 4, where he would shield pace-hitters against all kinds of spin.
8. Deepak Hooda: Despite his recent struggles in this format, Deepak Hooda is still a solid spin-hitter whose best use is at No.3. He also hits fuller-length deliveries vs pace hardly and can be an option worth trying. He can also bowl a bit of off-spin.
9. Shreyas Iyer: Shreyas Iyer offers too many things. He is a traditional spin player and smashes fuller-length deliveries. He can also be a leader since PBKS are looking for one.
10. Mahipal Lomror: Mahipal Lomror wasn’t utilised properly by RCB because they used him lower in the order. His superior skillsets vs spinners make him an ideal No.3 or 4 in T20s. His game against pace is also encouraging, for has shown credentials to hit anything on the fuller side.

Role No.3 – A pace power-hitter

Note: Shashank Singh’s batting position will depend on the other pace-hitter Punjab Kings get in the auction.

1. Rishabh Pant: A certified pace-hitter, including off-pace deliveries, Rishabh Pant can be flexible with his batting position. He can either bat at No.4 or 5 based on the wicket falling in the middle. Given Ricky Ponting’s connection, PBKS might target Rishabh Pant during the auction since he can also lead the unit.
2. Tim David: Tim David has brute power against non-shorter-length deliveries and decent technique against spinners. He is a powerful striker who can bat at No.5 or 6, depending on the requirement. He will thrive on flat decks of Mullanpur.
3. Sherfane Rutherford: Sherfane Rutherford’s price might not be as high, but his recent outings have proved his true worth. He is powerful against pacers and can hit all lengths easily. He can bat anywhere in the middle and lower middle order.
4. Liam Livingstone: Punjab Kings might use one of their RTM cards on Liam Livingstone. He is a proven six-hitter who can hit all lengths against pacers, and his spin game is also decent. He can bat at No.5 or 6.
5. David Miller: David Miller is a proven pace-hitter who has reaped ample success in a tough role. He can thwack pacers at will and is also decent against spinners. He has fetched ample success in the league.
6. Mitchell Marsh: Mitchell Marsh is a ferocious striker of the pace bowling who can’t be restricted against any length. However, he will need a solid spin-hitter around him, so the team must nail his entry point. He can also bowl medium-pace.
7. Marcus Stoinis: Marcus Stoinis is another solid pace-hitter with brute power to hit all lengths. Further, his spin game is relatively better than most pace-hitters in this list. He also bowls useful medium pace and can give at least two overs consistently.
8. Jitesh Sharma: Jitesh Sharma’s best position is No.5. He is quite good vs pace and can handle spin as well. PBKS can use RTM on him.
9. Abhinav Manohar: Abhinav Manohar is a bonafide pace-hitter. He is a six-hitting machine whose range and shot selection have improved, as visible in the local T20 leagues. He will be a long-term investment bound to achieve bigger things in the competition.
10. Manoj Bhandage: Manoj Bhandage has shown encouraging skillsets lately. Batting in the lower order, Bhandage has been consistent and whacked pacers consistently. He can also bowl useful medium-pace.
11. Naman Dhir: Naman Dhir showed superior skillsets against pacers in his maiden IPL season. He is quite stable, even against hard lengths, which is rare for Indian batters. He will be perfectly suited for the No.5 position.

Role No.4 – A finger spinner with some bowling value

1. Harpreet Brar: Punjab Kings should simply re-bid or use RTM on Harpreet Brar. He has been one of the best defensive spinners and has been quite accurate. He can also bat a bit.
2. Krunal Pandya: Krunal Pandya provides ample value with both bat and ball. He bowls defensive lengths and can hit big shots with the willow, especially vs pace. He is a proven performer in the league.
3. Ravichandran Ashwin: Punjab Kings have the budget to rope in Ravichandran Ashwin, who can also be a captaincy candidate. Ashwin ideally supported Yuzvendra Chahal in the previous cycle and can replicate it for PBKS. There’s also a decent batting value.
4. Sai Kishore: Sai Kishore might not provide ample batting value, but he is still among the best defensive spinners in the country. He is very accurate and too hard to hit. If they don’t get one of Harpreet or Ashwin, PBKS should definitely try him.
5. Washington Sundar: Washington Sundar is a fine off-spinner who can be used in the powerplay or middle overs. His batting has also improved, even though he has, at times, struggled in this format. Still, he is a fine choice to have.
6. Allah Ghazanfar: Allah Ghazanfar has several variations and has been really successful against quality batters. He can also hit the ball long. Given his value won’t be too high, PBKS can try him, even if as a backup.

Role No.5 – A wrist-spinner who is a genuine wicket-taker

1. Yuzvendra Chahal: Given Punjab Kings’ budget, they should try sealing Yuzvendra Chahal at all costs. He is a genuine wicket-taker who mostly brings breakthroughs for his team. He is a proven performer.
2. Noor Ahmad: Noor Ahmad is a skilled operator. He has several variations and a knack for taking wickets. He is capable of bringing wickets on any deck.
3. Wanindu Hasaranga: Wanindu Hasaranga is also an authentic wicket-taker in the middle overs. He has a lethal googly that has fetched him ample success. He also provides some batting depth.
4. Adam Zampa: Adam Zampa is another shrewd operator. He bowls immaculate lines and lengths and mostly targets the stumps. He can bring regular wickets in the middle overs.

Role No.6 – A powerplay specialist

1. Arshdeep Singh: Arshdeep Singh is the best option available for dual roles, and PBKS should simply use RTM on him. He can swing the new ball and will get ample help in Mullanpur. He also has decent control over his yorkers, making him an ideal option for death overs.
2. Mohammed Shami: While Gujarat Titans have an RTM to use on Mohammed Shami, Punjab Kings should still try getting him and bid hard for him. They have the budget to go all out for him. He will also provide ample value in the middle and death overs.
3. Trent Boult: Trent Boult brings early wickets almost every time. He can move the ball both ways and has done it everywhere. Further, he can also bowl decent yorkers, making him an option for death overs.
4. Khaleel Ahmed: Khaleel Ahmed should be an option if PBKS don’t get Arshdeep Singh or Trent Boult for any reason. He is a genuine new-ball wicket-taker who will get ample assistance early on in home games. Ricky Ponting has worked with him in Delhi Capitals (DC).
5. Josh Hazlewood: Josh Hazlewood will solve two issues: powerplay and middle-overs bowling. He is very accurate and often becomes unplayable with the new ball. He can also bowl hard lengths and be an enforcer in the middle overs.
6. Akash Madhwal: Akash Madhwal will also take care of two areas: powerplay and death overs. He can move the new and old ball and has good control. He also showed command over his yorkers, making him a decent slog-over specialist.
7. Rasikh Dar: Rasikh Dar can extract anything available with the new ball and will enjoy playing in Mullanpur. Further, he also has the potential to be a successful death-over bowler. He can be an option worth trying.

Role No.7 – A middle-over enforcer

1. Avesh Khan: With a big budget, the focus should be on getting the best option, and Avesh seems to be one of them. He can hit the deck hard and bowl shorter lengths consistently at pace. He also has a good yorker and is one of the best death-overs options.
2. Simarjeet Singh: Simarjeet Singh has the pace, and his lengths are mostly short. He can bowl into the body and pitch hard lengths consistently. He has improved massively lately and has done well in the league before.
3. Yudhvir Singh Charak: Not a popular pick, but Yudhvir Singh Charak has shown the ability to hit the deck hard. He has the pace and hits high on the willow. He also has decent credentials to give a few bowlers in the death overs.
4. Gerald Coetzee: Gerald Coetzee has the potential to be an all-phase pacer. He can bowl with the new, but his pace and natural lengths are ideal for an enforcer. Further, he has developed a few slower ones, which he can use in death overs.
5. Kuldeep Sen: A not-so-famous pick, Kuldeep Sen has shown hit-the-deck skills in IPL. He hits the bat hard and often targets stumps. He has the skillsets to be a death-over specialist as well.
6. Kagiso Rabada: Punjab Kings can opt to use RTM on Kagiso Rabada. He is a value operator in the powerplay and middle overs since he moves the new ball and can hit the deck once the field restrictions are lifted. He has ample to offer if used precisely.

Role No.8 – A death-over specialist

Note: Several bowlers have already been discussed for this role in the previous two sections. So, we have limited our options here.

1. Harshal Patel: Punjab Kings should try hard to use RTM on Harshal Patel. If they can’t use RTM, PBKS should bid hard for him because he is among the finest options for this role. He has plenty of slower ones and mixes them well with pace-on deliveries, making him an elite operator, even if he can be vulnerable sometimes.
2. T Natarajan: T Natarajan should be on PBKS’ radar if they don’t get Harshal Patel. Natarajan has ample control over his yorkers and has a few slower ones to remain unpredictable. He has a proven track record in the league.
3. Nathan Ellis: Nathan Ellis should be an alternate if PBKS don’t get one of the above two. Ellis is an elite operator with a range of slower ones and good control over his yorkers. PBKS can use an RTM on him and get him back.

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