Players That Punjab Kings Must Release Before IPL 2027

Players PBKS must release after IPL [Source: AP]

Who would have thought that after winning 6 of their first seven IPL 2026 matches, the Punjab Kings would be eliminated from the league stage? The team was unbeaten, and looked all set to go invincible before they lost the momentum, and crashed out of the tournament.

The Punjab Kings team made schoolboy errors, dropped catches for fun, and conceded 200-plus runs in almost every IPL 2026 match as the side failed to deliver the goods, and they suffered a heartbreak.

On paper, PBKS had a strong squad, but on the field, several key players underperformed and crumbled under pressure as the side failed to qualify for the IPL playoffs. With the side out of IPL 2026 playoffs, here are the players the Punjab Kings should release before the next season.

1) Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal is the leading wicket-taker in IPL history, but for some reason, the wily leg-spinner has not been at his best in the last two seasons. His economy rate has shot up, and the batters are no longer afraid of him.

He was bought by the Punjab Kings for 18 crores, but the performances have not been up to the mark, and the team could release him before the next season commences.

(Chahal stats in IPL 2026)

• Just 12 wickets in 14 matches, with an economy rate of 9.39, sums up Chahal’s IPL 2026 journey. Captain Shreyas Iyer hardly showed any faith in his abilities as Chahal didn’t even complete his quota of 4 overs in most of the games.
• There is no point in keeping him in the team for 18 crores. Instead, the side can release Chahal and buy him back for a lower price in the mini auction.

2) Marcus Stoinis

Marcus Stoinis falls on the same line as Yuzvendra Chahal, with the player getting 11 crores just for batting a few overs. Being a designated all-rounder, the Aussie players’ skillsets are not properly utilised by the Punjab Kings franchise.

In 13 IPL 2026 matches, Stoinis has scored 216 runs with a healthy strike rate of 180, but the problem lies in the fact that his wicket-taking ability has diminished. The right-arm pacer only has 2 wickets in the entire campaign, with an economy of 12.51.

The Punjab Kings can free up 11 crores by releasing Marcus Stoinis, and they can use the same money to strengthen other weak areas in the mini auction.

Also Read: Shreyas Iyer's 1st Reaction After PBKS Elimination From IPL 2026 Out

3) Nehal Wadhera

The former Mumbai Indians batter strengthened the PBKS batting lineup last season, but in IPL 2026, Wadhera looked a pale shadow of his former self, and was also dropped midway through the tournament. He performed poorly and the stats reveal the journey.

(Nehal Wadhera stats in IPL 2026)

• Before the IPL 2026, Wadhera was a key member of the Punjab Kings squad, but he failed to deliver the goods in the campaign, and could only score 65 runs in eight innings.
• He averaged just 10, and had a strike rate of 114 as the PBKS side replaced him with Suryansh Shedge midway through the campaign.
• He was bought for INR 4.20 crore, and the Kings could do better by releasibg the left-handed batter and going after another proven performer to strengthen the batting.

Conclusion by Anurag

The Punjab Kings had several underperformers, as the team missed out on a chance to capture their maiden IPL title. The squad still looks solid on paper, but by releasing three unwanted players in Chahal, Stoinis, and Wadhera, the team could use the money to go after other performers in the next IPL mini auction.

Also Read: Ajinkya Rahane At the Top! Players That KKR Must Release Before IPL 2027