With the IPL 2026 mini-auction fast approaching, excitement is steadily rising across the cricketing world. The November 15 retention deadline has added another layer of intrigue, compelling franchises to take bold calls ahead of the December showdown. Among these teams, Punjab Kings (PBKS) are in a particularly interesting position—coming off a remarkable IPL 2025 season where they reached the final for the first time in 11 years. Led by Shreyas Iyer and guided by head coach Ricky Ponting, PBKS enjoyed their most consistent campaign in over a decade, finishing in the top two on the league table. The emergence of young talents like Priyansh Arya, who scored 475 runs in his maiden season, and Prabhsimran Singh, who contributed 499 runs in 14 matches, added to Punjab’s renewed momentum. Irfan Pathan names two players PBKS should release ahead of auction Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has entered the retention debate, suggesting that Punjab Kings should take a tough stance on two big names before the 2026 mini-auction. In a video shared by Star Sports, Pathan questioned the value provided by Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell during the 2025 campaign. Pathan argued that Stoinis did not justify his hefty ₹11 crore price tag, noting that the Australian all-rounder managed just 160 runs in 11 innings and claimed only one wicket while conceding at an economy rate of 12.35. “Did Stoinis bring the worth of those 11 crores on the ground through performance? He scored 160 runs. His economy was also over 12 almost. He did not justify his place,” Pathan said. He also expressed concern over Glenn Maxwell’s form, pointing out that the seasoned Australian batter has failed to deliver significant contributions over the last two seasons. Maxwell scored only 48 runs in IPL 2025, and although he bagged four wickets at a respectable economy rate of 8.46, Pathan stressed that his primary role as a power-hitter remains unmet. “Maxwell did not score runs. In the last two years, we have not seen much in his batting,” he added. Releasing both Stoinis and Maxwell could free up nearly ₹15 crore for PBKS, giving them considerable flexibility in the upcoming auction. Pathan stated that this financial room could help Punjab chase impactful all-rounders or strengthen other key areas. Despite these tough calls, PBKS are expected to retain their core group, including Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, and Shashank Singh. With the retention deadline nearing, Punjab will aim to strike the perfect balance between continuity and necessary restructuring as they gear up for another deep playoff push in IPL 2026.