The Punjab Kings (PBKS) have been one of the most enigmatic teams in the IPL. Despite being part of the league since its inaugural edition in 2008, they are yet to clinch the coveted trophy. Their closest shot came in 2014 when they reached the final, only to lose to Kolkata Knight Riders in a hard-fought encounter.
Fast forward to IPL 2024, PBKS had a disappointing campaign, finishing 9th in the points table with just 5 wins in 14 matches. Their failure to qualify for the playoffs yet again highlighted the need for a major overhaul.
Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, PBKS have opted for a bold strategy. They have retained just two players namely Shashank Singh (INR 5.5 crores) and Prabhsimran Singh (INR 4 crores) and head into the auction with a massive purse of INR110.5 crores, the highest among all franchises.
Adding to their advantage, PBKS hold four Right to Match (RTM) cards, more than any other team. However, they cannot use these RTMs for uncapped players. Let’s take look at five players Punjab Kings could target using their RTM cards to build a strong squad for IPL 2025.
1. Harshal Patel
Harshal Patel has carved a niche for himself as a death-overs specialist, consistently delivering under pressure. In IPL 2024, he claimed the Purple Cap with 24 wickets in 14 matches, cementing his reputation as one of the league’s top pacers.
Across his IPL career, Harshal has taken 135 wickets in 105 matches, including a five-wicket haul and two four-wicket hauls. The Mohali-based franchise will be keen to use an RTM card on him to strengthen their bowling attack for crunch moments.
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