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The journey of the Punjab Kings in 2025 felt like a long-awaited exhale. Under the spot-on captaincy of Shreyas Iyer and the guidance of the legendary Ricky Ponting, PBKS finally shed its "underachiever" tag. They topped the league stage and battled valiantly in the final, proving they weren't just a collection of big names, but a real team.

Also Read: CSK Retention list ahead of IPL 2026: Can the Super Kings bounce back?

Now, with the IPL 2026 mini-auction on the horizon, the challenge isn't just about winning a title; it's about locking down the exact squad that came so agonizingly close and finding that one perfect piece of the puzzle.

PBKS Retention Strategy

Forget tinkering. PBKS management is clearly prioritising stability and backing their biggest match-winners. The strategy revolves around keeping the core that performed so well under Iyer's direction. You don't break what's (almost) fixed.

The heart of the team, skipper Shreyas Iyer, is naturally untouchable. His middle-order dominance and inspiring leadership are the foundations. He’ll be surrounded by a dynamic Indian batting lineup: the explosive top-order duo of Prabhsimran Singh (who keeps wickets) and the consistent run-machine and find of the season for PBKS, Priyansh Arya.

Down the order, they'll smartly keep the domestic power-hitters Shashank Singh and the promising Nehal Wadhera. Josh Inglis provides the perfect threat as an overseas floater who can bat in any match situation and steer the game away from the opposition.

Crucially, they shall double down on high-impact overseas talent. Marcus Stoinis's ability to finish games with the bat and bowl valuable overs makes him essential. And speaking of value, securing the great spin wizard Yuzvendra Chahal is a no-brainer. His match-winning leg-spin is worth every rupee.

Completing the bowling duties shall be the excellent Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh, the dependable spin all-rounder Harpreet Brar, and the international pace-bowling pair of Marco Jansen and Azmatullah Omarzai. These players give Iyer options for every pitch and situation. Young pacer Vijaykumar Vyshak and all-rounder Suryansh Shedge provide crucial domestic depth.

Who will the runner-ups release?

To make room for the stars and keep their finances healthy, PBKS is forced to make some painful, yet necessary, calls on players who didn't quite deliver on their enormous price tags.

The most difficult, but expected, release is Glenn Maxwell. While a superstar on paper, his struggles with injury and his inability to consistently perform in 2025 mean his massive salary is simply too heavy to carry. With Stoinis retained, PBKS will feel they have the finishing role covered, making Maxwell a luxury they can no longer afford.

They're also expected to free up funds by letting go of injury-prone high-cost overseas pacers like Lockie Ferguson, who couldn't stay fit or consistent. Releasing developmental players like Aaron Hardie and a handful of fringe domestic players will also be key to boosting the Mini-Auction purse.

The money saved could be precisely targeted at acquiring a world-class overseas fast bowler to partner Arshdeep Singh and perhaps a backup Indian spinner in the auction. For the Punjab Kings, making it to the final was step one; lifting the trophy is the only goal now.

PBKS Probable Retention List (14 Players)

Shreyas Iyer (Batter, Captain)

Prabhsimran Singh (WK-Batter)

Priyansh Arya (Batter)

Shashank Singh (Batter)

Nehal Wadhera (Batter)

Marcus Stoinis (All-rounder, O)

Josh Inglis (WK-Batter, O)

Arshdeep Singh (Bowler)

Harpreet Brar (All-rounder)

Yuzvendra Chahal (Bowler)

Marco Jansen (All-rounder, O)

Azmatullah Omarzai (All-rounder, O)

Vijaykumar Vyshak (Bowler)

Suryansh Shedge (All-rounder)

PBKS Auction Purse for IPL 2026 Mini-Auction

New Total Auction Purse (Estimated): 125.00 Cr

Minus: Total Cost of 14 Retained Players (Estimated): 105.50 Cr

Estimated Remaining Auction Purse: 19.50 Cr