Punjab Kings had their best IPL season ever in 2025. Led by Shreyas Iyer, PBKS finally broke their decade-long curse and reached the playoffs after 10 years. They topped the league table with 19 points, winning 10 out of 17 matches. Punjab Kings reached the final again but lost a close contest to RCB by 6 runs.
Overall, it was a dream season for Punjab Kings marking their first final appearance since 2014. But looking ahead to IPL 2026, they have a great chance to go one step further and win their maiden title. A lot will depend on how they fine-tune their squad as this year some expensive players like Yuzvendra Chahal and Marcus Stoinis didn’t justify their price tags. To improve the team further, Punjab will release several high-priced players and make some smart picks in the IPL 2026 auction. That means they will need to let go of quite a few big names first.
Punjab Kings 2025 IPL Squad – Auction Prices and Season Performance
| Player Name | Sold Price (₹ Cr) | IPL 2025 Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Shreyas Iyer | 26.75 | 604 runs in 18 matches, SR 175.07, 43×4, 39×6, HS: 97* |
| Arshdeep Singh | 18.00 | 21 wickets in 18 matches, Econ 8.45, Best: 3/16 |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | 18.00 | 16 wickets in 15 matches, Econ 8.12, Best: 4/32 (Hat-trick) |
| Marcus Stoinis | 11.00 | 160 runs (SR 186.05), 1 wicket, Econ 9.24 |
| Marco Jansen | 7.00 | 75 runs (SR 119.05), 16 wickets, Econ 8.67 |
| Shashank Singh | 5.50 | 350 runs in 18 matches, SR 153.51, HS: 61* |
| Nehal Wadhera | 4.20 | 369 runs in 17 matches, SR 145.85, HS: 62 |
| Glenn Maxwell | 4.20 | 48 runs (SR 97.96), 4 wickets, Econ 7.85 |
| Prabhsimran Singh | 4.00 | 599 runs in 18 matches, SR 161.89, HS: 91 |
| Priyansh Arya | 3.80 | 545 runs in 18 matches, SR 182.27, HS: 76* |
| Josh Inglis | 2.60 | 278 runs in 12 matches, SR 162.57, HS: 68 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 2.40 | 57 runs, 8 wickets, Econ 8.95 |
| Lockie Ferguson | 2.00 | 5 wickets in 4 matches, Econ 9.78 |
| Vijaykumar Vyshak | 1.80 | 4 wickets in 5 matches, Econ 8.34 |
| Yash Thakur | 1.60 | 1 wicket in 2 matches, Econ 8.78 |
| Harpreet Brar | 1.50 | 10 wickets in 8 matches, Econ 7.95 |
| Aaron Hardie | 1.25 | 73 runs, 4 wickets |
| Vishnu Vinod | 0.95 | Backup keeper, limited chances |
| Kuldeep Sen | 0.80 | 7 wickets in 6 matches, Econ 9.12 |
| Xavier Bartlett | 0.80 | 2 wickets in 4 matches, Econ 10.45 |
| Suryansh Shedge | 0.30 | 7 runs, limited bowling chances |
| Pyla Avinash | 0.30 | No appearances |
| Musheer Khan | 0.30 | 58 runs in 4 matches, SR 132.73 |
| Harnoor Singh | 0.30 | No appearances |
| Praveen Dubey | 0.30 | 1 wicket in 1 match |
Punjab Kings Retained Players: Keeping The Winning Formula
PBKS are keeping their main core that took them to the final for IPL 2026. Here are the top players they’re holding onto:
Star Players (High Salary):
Shreyas Iyer– ₹26.75 crores (Captain & batting star)
Arshdeep Singh– ₹18 crores (India’s pace spearhead)
Marco Jansen– ₹7 crores (Tall left-arm all-rounder)
Shashank Singh– ₹5.50 crores (The perfect finisher)
Key Middle-Order Players:
Nehal Wadhera– ₹4.20 crores (Consistent middle-order bat)
Prabhsimran Singh– ₹4 crores (Opening wicket-keeper)
Priyansh Arya– ₹3.80 crores (Young all-round talent)
Josh Inglis– ₹2.60 crores (Overseas keeper option)
Support Players:
Azmatullah Omarzai– ₹2.40 crores (Afghan all-rounder)
Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yash Thakur, Harpreet Brar – reliable Indian bowling options
Kuldeep Sen, Musheer Khan, Suryansh Shedge – promising young talents
Punjab Kings Released Players
| Player Name | Salary | Why Released |
|---|---|---|
| Yuzvendra Chahal | ₹18 crores | Too expensive despite 18 wickets – PBKS need money for other areas |
| Marcus Stoinis | ₹11 crores | Poor batting performance – only 195 runs at 115 strike rate, age factor |
| Glenn Maxwell | ₹4.20 crores | Inconsistent – played only 8 matches, seemed disinterested |
| Lockie Ferguson | ₹2 crores | Injury concerns – missed half the season, can’t rely on him |
| Aaron Hardie | ₹1.25 crores | Average performance, PBKS need better overseas options |
| Vishnu Vinod | ₹0.95 crores | Backup keeper with limited chances, Josh Inglis preferred |
| Xavier Bartlett | ₹0.80 crores | Poor bowling stats – only 3 wickets with 10.45 economy |
| Harnoor Pannu | ₹0.30 crores | Couldn’t break into playing XI |
| Pyla Avinash | ₹0.30 crores | Never got a chance to play |
| Pravin Dubey | ₹0.30 crores | Limited opportunities and impact |
Cameron Green
Cameron Green’s all-round skills could solve multiple problems for PBKS. He can bat in the middle order, provide extra pace bowling option, and his height gives him an advantage in Indian conditions. His recent form in international cricket makes him a hot property.
Tim Southee
With experience in Indian conditions, Tim Southee could be the death bowling specialist PBKS need. His variations and ability to bowl in powerplay as well as death overs would complement Arshdeep Singh perfectly.
Sanju Samson (Trade Option)
If Rajasthan Royals are willing to trade, Sanju Samson could be an excellent addition. His leadership qualities and consistent batting would add depth to Punjab’s middle order. His wicket-keeping skills are an added bonus.
Wanindu Hasaranga
The Sri Lankan all-rounder offers quality leg-spin and handy lower-order batting. With Chahal released, PBKS need a quality spinner and Hasaranga fits the bill perfectly with his wicket-taking ability.
Ben Duckett
Ben Duckett’s attacking batting at the top can pair well with Prabhsimran. His form and quick scoring in powerplays make him ideal for PBKS.
Washington Sundar (Trade Option)
Washington Sundar’s off-spin and batting ability makes him a valuable asset. If Gujarat Titans are willing to let him go, PBKS could benefit from his all-round skills and experience in Indian conditions.
PBKS IPL 2026 Purse & Auction Budget Breakdown
| Budget Category | Amount | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Total Purse for IPL 2026 | ₹125 crores | 100% |
| Money Spent on Retained Players | ₹80.55 crores | 64% |
| Money Saved from Releases | ₹39.10 crores | 31% |
| Available for Auction | ₹44.45 crores | 36% |
IPL 2026 Mini Auction: When and Where It Will Happen?
The retention deadline for IPL 2026 is expected to be in late October 2025, and the mini auction is likely to take place in December 2025 or January 2026. The venue will be in India, most likely Mumbai or Delhi, and it will be conducted as a mini auction, not a mega auction.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Auction Type | Mini Auction |
| Expected Date | December 2025 – January 2026 |
| Venue | Mumbai or Delhi, India |
| Total Purse per Team | ₹125 crores |
| Maximum Players per Team | 25 |
| Retention Deadline | Late October 2025 (dates not yet officially confirmed) |
| Auction Format | Teams buy players to fill remaining slots after retention and release |
ALSO READ: Punjab Kings Team Profile & History in IPL
Code: TOPBK
