Six Players Punjab Kings Should Retain: Punjab Kings have never in their IPL history looked like a title contender. Well, that isn’t quite true. But the fact is, since their final appearance in 2014, they have not even made it to the playoffs and are perennially in the bottom half of the table.
The new IPL 2025 retention rules allow for each team to retain up to six players, five of which can be capped and there is no limit to overseas players in this list. There can also be a maximum of two uncapped retentions. It should also be noted that if a team does not use up all of its retention slots, they can use Right To Match (RTM) for one of their players in the auction. This also means that multiple players in this list can instead be retained via RTM
They will look to win the IPL for the first time. But, to be honest, a playoff run will be an achievement. The team is known to build the squad from the ground up each season. Now that they have the opportunity, let’s see how they do.
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Here are six players Punjab Kings should retain for IPL 2025
1) Arshdeep Singh – 18 Crore
Arshdeep Singh has been Punjab Kings’ only true great find in the past few seasons, a player who first broke onto the scene for this franchise before making it to the national team. A regular wicket-taker for the Kings throughout the seasons, Arshdeep might be the only Indian player in this team that the franchise will retain before the auction.
Left-arm Indian pacers are dime-a-dozen nowadays, making the Punjab-based bowler a valuable commodity for any team, one they will be foolish to let go. Especially seeing how he is the second-highest wicket-taker in franchise history
The challenge for Punjab will be to build a strong bowling attack around the left-arm pacer, which they have not been able to do for a long time. With the team looking to build a squad from the ground up for yet another auction cycle, it is time for them to build a team around Arshdeep Singh.
2) Kagiso Rabada – 14 Crore
One of the best international fast bowlers of the generation, Kagiso Rabada can claim to be among the best South African bowlers of all time. He has formed one of the most formidable (on paper) bowling duos in IPL alongside Arshdeep Singh, a pair that has failed to perform at the level expected of them so far.
The South African can complement Arshdeep well. While the Indian bowler is a fine opening and death-over bowler, Rabada is more of a middle-over specialist.
While Rabada has not been able to rise back to his Purple Cap-winning peak for the past two seasons, having a bowler like Kagiso on their side means a team will always be in their match
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3) Rahul Chahar – 11 Crore
One of the few quality Indian wrist-spinners, making him an asset for the Punjab Kings. However, Chahar has not been able to live up to his potential in the IPL, never taking more than 15 wickets a season.
It is much more likely that Chahar will be released and will then be bought via RTM. However it may be, the KIngs must not let go of the only international-level Indian wrist-spinner on their side.
4) Liam Livingstone – 18 Crore
18 Crore might be a bit too much for Liam Livingstone. The English all-rounder can win a game single-handedly with the bat and can take a few crucial wickets with his leg-spin. Another possible RTM buy for the Punjab Kings, Livingstone has been one of the few consistent performers for this franchise over the past three seasons.
However, he did not have a good 2024 IPL season, regularly leaving his side hanging while uncapped players came to the rescue. This might affect the franchise’s mood about if they want to bring him back. Despite that, Liam Livingstone is and will be an asset for any team that plays him, like he is for his national team.
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5) Jitesh Sharma – 14 Crore
The possible future captain of the Punjab Kings after Shikhar Dhawan’s retirement, the wicketkeeper-batter captained the side for much of the 2024 season in Gabbar’s absence. While his recent national team stint might have ended in failure, Jitesh is a fine all-format batter who can either hold the inning together or slog towards a massive target depending upon the situation.
Will the Kings think about making Jitesh their future regular captain, maybe not. But the team would be wise to keep a hold of their promising Indian wicketkeeper and explosive batter.
6) Ashutosh Sharma (Uncapped) – 4 Crore
It can be any one of Ashutosh Sharma or Shashank Singh in this spot. The two rose to prominence with their batting antics last season, winning their team multiple matches and genuinely being the best batters of the Punjab Kings. The only reason Ashutosh is on this list instead of Shashank is their age. While Singh is 32 years of and likely in the latter stages of his career, Sharma is just 26 and in the prime years of his time as a cricketer.
Ashutosh can even bowl a few overs of medium pace when required. With his stock being high after the 2024 season, it would be wise for the Kings to keep a hold of their promising death-over batter.
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