The Punjab Kings (PBKS) are set to revamp their entire squad before another IPL mega auction. Their countdown to the IPL 2025 auction will be marked by high profile dismissals, particularly among coaching staff. Many big names are set to exit PBKS’ doors before the auction later this year, as the franchise aims to succeed in another challenging IPL campaign.
Trevor Bayliss and Sanjay Bangar Out
PBKS has let go of former coach Trevor Bayliss and director Sanjay Bangar after a terrible IPL 2024 outing. Both figures will make their exit as PBKS targets an overhaul of their squad towards a challenging 2025 season.
Ricky Ponting to Lead New PBKS Era?
Australian legend Ricky Ponting is set to lead PBKS at IPL 2025. The veteran cricketer and coach signed a multi-year deal to manage the Punjab-based franchise’s on-field affairs next season.
Ponting recently dropped hints about his immediate coaching future at an interview. He shared his vision for the PBKS role and looks set to revolutionize Punjab’s signature franchise ahead of next season:
“The biggest thing I want to do is make everyone aware that it’s going to be a different place. We aren’t going to sit back and accept mediocrity. People are going to talk about this team and this franchise in a different way.”
Why Have the Punjab Kings Struggled to Succeed in IPL Cricket?
Many high-profile coaching changes
The last decade has seen 7 coaches take up the head coach role at PBKS. Repeated coaching changes has not had the effect this franchise owners believed it would. Continuous failures to reach a playoff and lukewarm performances has not helped coaches at this franchise either.
Tougher opposition
Every franchise now has their sights set on winning an IPL title. The PBKS’ campaign to win India’s most-prestigious franchise cricket competition has gotten tougher in recent years. Poor communication among players during games has seen opposing teams take advantage of the PBKS loss of form throughout previous seasons.
Why are the Punjab Kings Hitting the Reset Button?
Poor IPL 2024 season
PBKS seek an IPL playoff return after an underwhelming 2024 season. Fans will expect an immediate turnaround in their fortunes with the scheduled outgoings and incomings at the Punjab-based franchise.
Long-term underachievement
The last PBKS squad to reach an IPL playoff was in 2014 and subsequent lineups have failed to replicate such a feat. PBKS have become perennial underachievers in recent seasons after showing glimpses of greatness pre-2015.
3 Players PBKS May Retain Ahead of the IPL 2025 Auction
Many players could go through the PBKS exit at auction; however, this franchise is likely to keep some cricketers ahead of next season. Key cricketers likely to stay at the Punjab franchise are:
Arshdeep Singh
Singh made a successful IPL debut in 2019 after an impressive outing with the India U-19 squad. The cricket prodigy has had a successful T20 career with a world cup title and other honours under his belt. He also has one of the IPL’s best wicket-taking records in fewer seasons than many top players.
Arshdeep has played in 46 IPL matches and has 76 wickets across all appearances so far. PBKS will not want to see another franchise secure his services ahead of 2025. Singh will be a top player for PBKS as they aim to achieve IPL success that has eluded their charges so far.
Prabhsimran Singh
Another Singh in PBKS’ lineup got his IPL debut at another franchise but became a better player after moving to Punjab. The cricketer secured 350+ runs (1 century and half-century) at IPL 2023. He also smashed 334 runs (2 half-centuries) with a 156.8 strike rate at IPL 2024. The PBKS danger man also has 76 fours and 41 sixes throughout his IPL outings so far.
His ability to start strong from powerplay overs deep into games has been an advantage for PBKS. The franchise will do everything to secure the cricketer’s services ahead of next season.
Prabhsimran Singh is an uncapped player and will only cost a few crores at auction if other franchises desire his services. His current franchise will have no issue doling out such a fee through the Right-to-Match (RTM) retention rule.
Ashutosh Sharma
IPL 2024 was a bad season overall for PBKS, but Ashutosh Sharma had a great debut at the franchise across matches last season. The cricketer managed 189 runs in 11 games throughout IPL 2024. His strike rate impressed analysts (167.26) and he is currently a top player for PBKS ahead of next season.
The youngster has managed 45 sixes across 23 innings so far and will aim to boost his overall tally. Sharma also made history with teammate Shashank Singh in 2024 after chasing down a 262-run target set by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). PBKS wouldn’t want to see their record-breaking batter play for another franchise next season.
