Punjab Kings face tough retention choices ahead of IPL 2025 auction

With the IPL 2025 mega auction approaching, Punjab Kings (PBKS) are at a crossroads, facing crucial decisions on which players to retain. Under the updated rules, franchises are permitted to retain up to six players, with the first retention capped at ₹18 crore. However, PBKS currently finds itself without a player who may justify such a hefty price tag, raising the question of how to approach the auction.

Who Could PBKS Retain? The team has undergone significant changes, with the departure of former captain Shikhar Dhawan and Ricky Ponting taking over as head coach. The core of the team now includes players like Sam Curran, Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada, and Liam Livingstone, but whether any of them should occupy the ₹18 crore slot is up for debate.

Sam Curran: Worth the Investment? Sam Curran, the all-rounder who was the most expensive buy in 2021 and served as the stand-in captain last season, is one of the key candidates for retention. While Curran has shown flashes of his abilities as a middle-order batsman and handy bowler, he has not consistently delivered performances that would make him indispensable at such a high price. Under the new leadership of Ricky Ponting, the franchise may consider releasing some of their high-cost English signings, including Curran.

Arshdeep Singh: RTM an Option? Arshdeep Singh has been one of the standout players in India’s T20 setup, and his performances during the 2024 T20 World Cup were noteworthy. While Arshdeep’s contributions are significant, PBKS may find ₹18 crore too steep for his retention. An alternative strategy could involve releasing Arshdeep into the auction pool and using a Right to Match (RTM) card to bring him back at a more reasonable price.

Kagiso Rabada and Liam Livingstone: Valuable but Inconsistent Kagiso Rabada, with his fast bowling prowess, and Liam Livingstone, known for his explosive batting, are also part of PBKS’s core group. However, both players have faced challenges with consistency. Rabada struggled to maintain form in the last season, and Livingstone’s all-round performance has not been steady over multiple games. While they are valuable to the squad, their impact may not be enough to warrant a ₹18 crore retention.