Punjab Kings have finalized their retentions for the upcoming IPL 2025 season, selecting only two uncapped players. The confirmed retained players for PBKS include young wicketkeeper Prabhsimran Singh and IPL 2024 standout performer Shashank Singh.
By retaining these two players, PBKS are indicating a strategy to build their team from scratch, having released players who were expected to be retained.
Trusting the local uncapped players
1. Shashank Singh
Shashank Singh has been retained by Punjab Kings for INR 5.5 crores. What a journey it has been for him so far! He was mistakenly picked by the PBKS franchise at the auction table ahead of IPL 2024. The 32-year-old scored 354 runs, averaging 44 and striking at over 160.
He was an obvious choice for retention due to his outstanding performances in IPL 2024. As the best player for Punjab Kings in IPL 2024, the team will be hoping he can replicate his success in IPL 2025.
2. Prabhsimran Singh
Prabhsimran Singh has been retained for INR 4 crores by Punjab Kings. He made his IPL debut in 2019 and was acquired for 60 lakhs in the IPL 2022 auction. Prabhsimran flourished with PBKS, scoring 358 runs in IPL 2023, which included one century and one fifty. In IPL 2024, he contributed 334 runs at a strike rate of 156.8, bringing his total to 756 runs in 34 matches. Retaining him over players like Jonny Bairstow and Jitesh Sharma shows that PBKS trusts his abilities.
Known for his aggressive hitting during the powerplay and providing a fast start, the team hopes he can maintain this form in IPL 2025. Additionally, Prabhsimran’s retention will not significantly impact PBKS’s budget, as he is an uncapped player.
| Retained Players | Price(INR) |
| Shashank Singh | 5.5 crores |
| Prabhsimran Singh | 4 crores |
| TOTAL: | 9.5 crores |
| Auction Purse Remaining: | (120-9.5)= 110.5 crores |
Also Read: SRH Retained Players List for IPL 2025 CONFIRMED: Sunrisers Hyderabad Retain Overseas Trio and Two Rising Indian Stars
Retention Strategy
These two uncapped retentions by PBKS have cost them only 9.5 crores, allowing them to enter the auction with the significant budget of INR 110.5 crores. They will also have 4 RTM that they can use to retain any players they wish.
By releasing key players like Rabada, Arshdeep, Bairstow, Livingstone, Sam Curran, and Jitesh Sharma, and instead trusting these two uncapped players, PBKS are clearly focused on building their team from scratch.
Having not yet won an IPL trophy and finishing 9th in IPL 2024, PBKS aims to create a solid squad with a powerful top order featuring Prabhsimran, a destructive middle order including Shashank Singh, and a fresh lineup of bowlers. They can still use their RTM cards to potentially bring back players like Arshdeep if they choose to do so.
With the significant amount in their auction purse, it will be interesting to see how Punjab Kings choose to spend it, as they can make high bids for the players they want.
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