IPL 2025: 3 Areas of concern for PBKS ahead of the season

Punjab Kings (PBKS) are gearing up to chase their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title under a fresh management team, headed by new head coach Ricky Ponting. Before the mega auction, they retained only two players. With the largest remaining purse of ₹110.5 crore, PBKS added 23 players to their squad, with Shreyas Iyer likely to take on the captaincy role.

However, there are still some areas where the team could have strengthened further. Addressing these gaps might have made them stronger and increased their chances of being tagged as the ‘favourites’ ahead of IPL 2025. 

Here are the 3 areas of concern for Punjab Kings ahead of IPL 2025

1. Lack of quality spin options

Punjab fans were thrilled to see their team securing star Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal for the upcoming season. His impact in the IPL is well-known. However, the challenge lies in the lack of other quality spinners to support him.

PBKS will have to depend on Glenn Maxwell or Harpreet Brar for spin options. Maxwell struggles with consistency, and as a foreign player, securing a spot in the playing XI can be tricky. On the other hand, Harpreet has IPL experience but lacks the sharpness or expertise to be a lethal partner for Chahal.

2. Inexperienced Indian players

Among the 17 Indian players in the squad, only a few bring vast experience from domestic and international cricket. Shreyas Iyer, who led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to victory last season, is expected to take on the captaincy role. His batting form will be crucial for Punjab’s success.

Arshdeep Singh will also play a key role in every phase of the game—be it powerplay overs, middle overs, or death overs—alongside Yuzvendra Chahal. However, beyond these three players, others like Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, and Prabhsimran Singh need to step up. While both Shashank and Prabhsimran were retained by the franchise, their domestic performances and flashes of brilliance last season may not be enough to assure fans of their ability to win games consistently.

In the middle-order, Mumbai’s Musheer Khan and Suryansh Shedge could be the X-factors Punjab has been searching for. Suryansh, in particular, has shown promise with some explosive knocks in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and Punjab will hope he carries that power-hitting form into this tournament.

That said, players like Suryansh, Kuldeep Sen, Vijaykumar Vyshak, and Yash Thakur still have to prove themselves consistently on the biggest stage. Whether it is taking on world-class bowlers or bowling to world-class batters, they have yet to showcase their full potential on a regular basis.   

3. Over-dependency on foreign players 

The squad includes eight foreign players, which will give head coach Ricky Ponting a tough task in selecting the final four for the playing XI. Punjab fans might be also eager to know who will open alongside Prabhsimran Singh. Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai could be a strong contender for the spot.

Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell are likely to get significant game time due to their all-round skills and proven ability to finish games under pressure. The competition between Marco Jansen and Lockie Ferguson will be another exciting battle. Jansen’s ability to contribute with the bat could give him an edge by adding depth to the lineup.

As backups, Punjab also has players like Aaron Hardie and Josh Inglis, both of whom bring quality to the squad. Ultimately, the performances of these high-profile players will play a crucial role in determining the fate of Punjab Kings in the upcoming season.   

Punjab Kings (PBKS) Final Squad for IPL 2025:

Shreyas Iyer, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Glenn Maxwell, Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Lockie Ferguson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yash Thakur, Harpreet Brar, Aaron Hardie, Vishnu Vinod, Kuldeep Sen, Xavier Bartlett, Harnoor Singh, Musheer Khan, Suryansh Shedge, Pyla Avinash, Praveen Dubey.

In conclusion, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) have made significant moves in the IPL 2025 auction, retaining only two players and acquiring 23 new players. With a strong focus on building a dynamic squad, PBKS spent ₹26.75 crore on Shreyas Iyer, making him the second-most expensive player in IPL history. Key acquisitions like Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Marcus Stoinis bolster the team's lineup. However, there are still areas of concern, such as the lack of quality spin options, inexperienced Indian players, and over-dependency on foreign players. Addressing these issues will be crucial for PBKS to improve their performance in the upcoming season. 

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