IPL 2025: 5 PBKS costly flops who might not find a buyer next season

After finishing first on the points table and reaching the final, Punjab Kings had an incredible comeback in the 2025 Indian Premier League.  They received a lot of praise for their aggressive style of cricket, which was supported by astute leadership and a solid core. They were also one of the tournament's most reliable teams.

Not all of the players, though, lived up to the hype.  A few expensive players played poorly or saw little action, which cast doubt on their future in the league before the 2026 auction, despite the team's overall success.

Here are the 5 PBKS costly flops who might not find a buyer next season:

1. Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell, who was bought for INR 4.2 Cr, scored just 48 runs in 6 innings at an average of 8.0 with a strike rate of about 98. He also recorded a golden duck early in the season, setting a new IPL record with 19 ducks. His bat was supposed to be a heavy middle-order hitter, but he failed to live up to expectations despite taking four wickets with his off-spin.

Both fans and commentators criticized him, calling his persistently low scores "frustrating" and "out of form." Maxwell's fate at auction is seriously in doubt because of his finger injury, which ended the season early, his declining performance, and his expensive price.

2. Lockie Ferguson

Lockie Ferguson, who was purchased for INR 2 Cr, participated in four games before being sidelined indefinitely due to a hamstring ailment. He took five wickets at an economy of 9.17 in the few appearances he did manage, which was neither bad nor exceptional.

Franchises might be hesitant to invest in a speedster with availability issues due to his recurrent hamstring and calf problems. His retention seemed doubtful given the absence of a late-season comeback and the emergence of healthier, more potent pace options.

3. Kuldeep Sen

The young right-arm pacer Kuldeep Sen was purchased for INR 0.8 Cr, but he did not leave a lasting impression. But during the IPL 2025, Kuldeep warmed the bench.

He didn't have enough memorable periods in 2025 and had trouble breaking into the starting lineup behind older pacers. Sen might be left out of squads that prioritize outcomes since less expensive domestic seamers provide comparable risks.

4. Aaron Hardie

Aaron Hardie, who was signed at auction and was expected to provide all-around balance, hardly made an appearance in the starting lineup. He returned without any noteworthy bowling or batting performances due to his short game time.

Hardie is still unproven and is passed over in favor of more well-known choices like Stoinis, Inglis, and Omarzai. Teams are unlikely to pay more for potential they haven't seen come to fruition, thus his lack of exposure now works against him.

5. Azmatullah Omarzai

Even though Azmatullah Omarzai dismissed Virat Kohli for forty-three in the IPL 2025 match, his season was uneven overall. He took eight wickets at an economy rate of more than 10.3 and amassed 57 runs (average of almost 14) in nine games with a high strike rate of 139.

 His overall performance was not consistent enough for an INR 2.4 cr international purchase.  Omarzai is vulnerable because teams prefer bowlers who can maintain their end or finish consistently; a strong last moment might not be enough to earn another sizable bid.

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