with ipl 2026 With the mini-auction coming closer, the excitement in the cricket scene continues to grow. The November 15 retention deadline has added more intrigue, with franchises forced to take important decisions before entering the December auction. among them, Punjab Kings (PBKS) find themselves in a unique position – after a memorable IPL 2025 campaign, which saw them reach the final for the first time in 11 years.
Under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer and guidance from the head coach ricky pontingPBKS delivered their most consistent season in over a decade and finished in the top two in the points table. like the rise of youth Priyansh Aryawho impressed by scoring 475 runs in his debut season, and Prabhsimran SinghWho scored 499 runs in 14 matches, joins the list of his positivity. With so much going right, the franchise now faces the daunting challenge of deciding which players to release ahead of the 2026 mini-auction.
Irfan Pathan names two players who should be let go by Punjab Kings
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan Has delved into the Punjab Kings’ retention dilemma and suggested two high-profile names the franchise should consider releasing. In a video shared by Star Sports, Pathan expressed concern over the returns provided marcus stoinis And glen maxwell During the 2025 season.
Pathan questioned whether Stoinis had justified the hefty price tag of ₹11 crore imposed on him by Punjab, highlighting that his performances had been well below expectations. Stoinis scored only 160 runs in 11 innings and struggled with the ball, taking just one wicket at an economy rate of 12.35. Pathan stressed that these figures do not reflect the impact expected from a high-priced all-rounder, making him a weak link in an otherwise successful PBKS campaign.
“Did Stoinis’ performance justify the price of Rs 11 crore? He scored 160 runs. His economy was also above 12. He could not justify his place.” “Pathan said.”
Pathan also pointed to Maxwell’s consistent decline with the bat and said the Australian star has not performed impressively in the last two IPL seasons. Maxwell could score just 48 runs in six innings in IPL 2025 and failed to make the explosive contribution he is known for. Although he took four wickets at a good economy of 8.46, Pathan insisted that his primary role as a batting powerhouse remained unfulfilled, raising concerns about his value in the future for the Punjab Kings.
“Maxwell didn’t score runs. We haven’t seen much from his batting in the last two years and even his last season before the injury was not good,” Added Pathan.
Highlighting the financial benefits, Pathan mentioned that PBKS could free up around ₹15 crore by releasing Stoinis and Maxwell ahead of the auction. Such a move would give the franchise significant flexibility in targeting impressive all-rounders or strengthening other areas of the team during the bidding process.
Also read: Punjab Kings: PBKS may retain 5 Indian players before IPL 2026 auction
Core group expected to remain intact
Despite the difficult decisions ahead, Punjab Kings are expected to retain several key players. Pathan emphasized that the choice of breakout star Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran SinghCaptain Iyer, experienced spinner Yuzvendra Chahalfast bowler Arshdeep Singhand reliable Shashank Singh All of these are integral parts of taking the team forward.
As the retention deadline approaches, PBKS will look to strike the right balance between maintaining stability and making necessary changes. With the mini-auction approaching, each decision could play a crucial role in shaping their bid for another deep playoff run in IPL 2026.
Also read: Mumbai Indians eyeing Arjun Tendulkar: Shardul Thakur’s player swapped ahead of IPL 2026 auction
