Punjab Kings (PBKS) decided to release all four main pacers – Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, and Nathan Ellis – before the IPL 2025 auction.
Despite enduring another underperforming cycle, Punjab Kings (PBKS) have had a quality pace attack, especially in the previous season. They could ace various conditions and did well in patches, even though they would have liked to be more consistent.
However, PBKS decided to release all four main pacers – Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, and Nathan Ellis – before the IPL 2025 auction. That means several teams can pick any of them during the auction and strengthen their squads.
We look at the strengths of each bowler and teams who might be interested in them.
Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh is among the finest T20 bowlers in the country, and his exclusion was one of the most surprising stories on the retention deadline. Arshdeep is a left-arm pacer who can swing the new ball and extract anything in the air to snare early wickets.
Further, he has ample control over his yorkers and has a few variations to remain unpredictable in the death overs, making him a complete package. He is a proven performer with vast experience playing in the league and will be one of the most sought-after players during the auction.
Franchises likely interested: Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans, and Lucknow Super Giants
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Harshal Patel
Harshal Patel didn’t have a great start to IPL 2024 but slowly regained form and returned to his threatening best. Harshal is a middle and death-over specialist who has previously done well in the league.
He has plenty of variations, with different types of slower balls, which has fetched him ample success as he has twice ended as a purple cap holder in IPL. Indian death-over bowlers are rare, making Harshal valuable for each team in the competition.
Franchises likely interested: Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Chennai Super Kings
Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada didn’t perform as expected in the previous cycle, which led to his release before the auction. However, Rabada still has plenty to offer and has shown decent improvement as a T20 bowler lately.
He can bowl with the new ball and bowl hard lengths in the middle and death overs, making him a solid T20 option. Rabada’s previous experience playing in the league will also be handy for teams acquiring his services.
Franchises likely interested: Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals
Nathan Ellis
Unfortunately, Punjab Kings failed to utilise Nathan Ellis’ true potential and didn’t give him enough opportunities. He is among the smartest T20 operators with several variations in pace-on and pace-off categories, making him an ideal candidate for the middle and death overs.
He has done well almost everywhere and also performed decently in IPL. Given his proven track record in this phase, teams looking for solid death-over bowlers can opt for Ellis.
Teams likely interested: Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Lucknow Super Giants, Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad
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