The Punjab Kings (PBKS) made some serious noise in IPL 2025. Under Shreyas Iyer’s calm but sharp leadership, they stormed into the top two and bagged a spot in the final—a clear signal that this team is no longer just “chasing respect,” they’re in it to win. But here’s the thing: even the best squads have a few loose ends, and PBKS could benefit from some smart trimming ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.
Yuzvendra Chahal: Big Money, Bigger Disappointment?
PBKS bet big on Chahal with an ₹18 crore price tag, but the leg-spinner’s magic didn’t quite light up the IPL 2025 stage. Unfortunately, what they got was a bit underwhelming. Chahal managed 16 wickets across 14 matches, yet his 9.56 economy made fans do a double-take. Shreyas Iyer, playing it safe, often held back Chahal from bowling his full quota, which left the leg-spinner a bit off the pace.
At 35, Chahal’s fielding and stamina are also points of concern. PBKS invested a huge chunk of their budget in a player whose performance didn’t match the price tag, and keeping him locked in at the same rate could limit the team’s flexibility in the next auction. The smart play? PBKS could part ways with Chahal and explore a rising domestic leggie—or maybe lure him back at a bargain.
Aaron Hardie: The Overseas Slot Dilemma
Aaron Hardie has all the hallmarks of a future star, but IPL 2025 showed he still has some catching up to do. The Aussie all-rounder struggled against quality spin, and his bowling hasn’t reached a point where Shreyas could trust him to bowl a meaningful spell. Let’s be honest: in a high-stakes tournament like the IPL, you need your overseas players to be immediate impact-makers, and Hardie’s inconsistency makes that tricky.
PBKS isn’t short on overseas firepower, with players like Azmatullah Omarzai, Marcus Stoinis, and Mitchell Owen ready to step up. Thus, keeping Hardie in the mix may not be the best strategic option, and letting Hardie go would allow you to have an overseas slot available for someone who is more consistently able to contribute to both batting and bowling, and could provide PBKS a wider range of options and a cleaner, more complete side for their 2026 season.
Marcus Stoinis: When Utility Isn’t Enough
Marcus Stoinis brings finishing prowess and a seasoned presence that lifts the entire squad. However, his all-rounder value has not equated to a ₹11 crore IPL 2025 auction price tag. Stoinis’ bowling has rarely been utilised, and PBKS can’t rely on him for breakthroughs when the innings are on the line.
In addition, Shashank Singh and Marco Jansen demonstrated that they both can take care of the lower-order batting job competently, and thus, the case for Stoinis’ costly spot is lessened. If they brought in someone like Cameron Green, who can bowl useful overs and is experienced at batting in pressure situations, then it could give PBKS more bang for buck.
FAQs
- Why should PBKS consider releasing Yuzvendra Chahal?
His performances didn’t match his ₹18 crore price tag, and his economy rate was high.
- How did Aaron Hardie perform in IPL 2025?
He struggled against spin and wasn’t consistently effective with the ball.
- Is Marcus Stoinis maintaining his status as a versatile asset for PBKS?
Not fully, as his bowling has become unreliable while commanding a high salary.
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