Shreyas Iyer is PBKS' captain | PC- AFP
After starting last season with a bang, the Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings (PBKS) ended IPL 2026 badly. Although they finished fifth, PBKS' form was disappointing.
In the build-up to the mini auctions, the Kings have been involved in the mother of all IPL trades, letting go of their highest wicket-taker, Arshdeep Singh, to acquire Hardik Pandya from Mumbai Indians.
The Hardik Pandya inclusion makes them an all-rounder-heavy line-up, but their bowling, especially their fast-bowling department, seems slim at the moment.
What changes can PBKS make in their auction strategy, and what releases can be made? In this article, we will break it all down.
PBKS' Current IPL Squad
Shreyas Iyer (c), Hardik Pandya (traded), Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Musheer Khan, Pyla Avinash, Harnoor Pannu, Suryansh Shedge, Mitchell Owen, Xavier Bartlett, Lockie Ferguson, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Yash Thakur, Vishnu Vinod, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Vishal Nishad, Praveen Dubey.
*The list includes trades done ahead of IPL 2027
Here, in this article, let us have a look at PBKS' possible retention strategy, as well as the number of players who could be released before the IPL 2027 auction, scheduled to take place in Goa on December 16.
PBKS' Possible Release List Before IPL 2027
1) Mitchell Owen - INR 3.00 Crore
The Hardik Pandya trade has strengthened Punjab Kings' all-round department, especially the fast-bowling all-rounders: Pandya, Marco Jansen, Marnus Stoinis, and Azmatullah Omarzai.
Thus, the PBKS won't need one more of them; they could easily look to release Mitchell Owen, allowing them to free up INR 3 crore. With only three all-rounders in the starting XI, Owen would fall even behind Omarzai on the pecking order.
Thus, the Aussie all-rounder is likely to be released ahead of IPL 2027.
2) Lockie Ferguson - INR 2.00 Crore
The lightning-quick Lockie Ferguson was once regarded as the fastest bowler of his generation. However, untimely injuries have barred him from bowling at his potential in the recent years.
Moreover, the Kiwi speedster has played just seven matches for PBKS in the last two years. He is currently rehabbing from another injury. Thus, the Punjab management might look to release him and bank on a younger foreign pacer in the IPL 2027 mini auctions.
3) Xavier Bartlett - INR 80 Lakh
Xavier Bartlett was given the responsibility to share the new ball with Arshdeep Singh last season, but the right-arm quick had a substandard time in the first half before he was benched.
In nine matches in IPL 2026, Bartlett could scalp just five wickets at an average of 77.60, with an economy rate climbing close to 12 RPO. With bowling options in Ben Dwarshuis, Yash Thakur and Vijaykumar Vyshak, the Kings can look to move past Xavier. That said, they would need to target a quality new-ball bowler in the auction.
4) Pyla Avinash - INR 30 Lakh
Pyla Avinash is a backup Indian batter in the Punjab lineup. However, he has been warming the bench since IPL 2025. However, his recent domestic form has been poor, to say the least.
In the APL T20 2026, the Andhra batter managed just 86 runs in seven outings at a strike rate of 122.86. Moreover, he had an even poorer time in SMAT, hitting 117 runs at a strike rate of 115.84. PBKS could move on from the 26-year-old.
