IPL 2025: Punjab Kings (PBKS) has been the most disappointing team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) over the years. The 2024 edition was no different as they finished at the ninth spot. Hoping for a drastic turnaround in IPL 2025, PBKS named Australia great Ricky Ponting as their head coach.
5 players who would be looking to make the maximum impact to help PBKS make a mark in the 2025 edition are:
Shreyas Iyer (Captain and batter)
Shreyas Iyer led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the IPL title in the last edition. Even then he was released by the franchise ahead of the mega auction. In the mega auction last year, Shreyas Iyer was bought by PBKS for Rs 26.75 crore, making him the second most expensive player. And in January earlier this year, Iyer was named the captain of the franchise.
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It has been a fascinating turnaround for Iyer as he was dropped from the BCCI central contracts for missing the Ranji Trophy semi-final against Tamil Nadu. Iyer then led Mumbai to Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this season scoring 345 runs in 9 innings, which also included a hundred.
At PBKS, Iyer will reunite with Ponting with whom he had a fine partnership at Delhi Capitals.
Josh Inglis (Batsman, Wicketkeeper):
Aussie Josh Inglis was bought by PBKS at the mega auction for Rs 2.60 crore. Inglis was born in England but moved to Western Australia when he was 14 years old to pursue his cricket career.
Inglis made all sit up and notice when smashed an unbeaten 120 against England in their Champions Trophy clash in Lahore last month – a knock that was studded with 6 sixes and 8 fours – as the Aussies chased down 352 with more than 2 overs to spare.
With his big-hitting ability, Inglis is sure to power PBKS to big totals and thrilling run chases.
Marcus Stoinis (All-rounder)
Marcus Stoinis played for the Lucknow Super Giants for the last 2 years and in the mega auction, the Aussie was bought by PBKS for Rs 11 crore. Known for his big-hitting ability and seam-bowling skills, Stoinis smashed an unbeaten 124 off 63 balls to help LSG pull off the highest successful run chase at the Chepauk in T20 cricket in the last edition.
With Stoinis at the crease, no target or total will look unbreachable or unachievable for PBKS this season.
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Arshdeep Singh (Bowler)
Initially picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 15.75 crore, Arshdeep Singh was retained by PBKS for Rs 18 crore after they exercised their Right to Match (RTM) card. Arshdeep has not played for any other team other than PBKS ever since his IPL debut in 2019. The left-arm seamer has taken 76 wickets from 65 IPL matches.
Arshdeep was part of both T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy winning squads, though he did not get to play any match in the Champions Trophy. Arshdeep would be looking to justify the faith shown in him by PBKS.
In the news for all the wrong reasons recently, Yuzvendra Chahal was bought by Punjab Kings for a whopping amount of Rs 18 crore – the highest amount paid for any spinner in IPL history. With 205 wickets from 160 matches, Chahal is the highest wicket-taker in IPL history and last played for India in 2023 and would be looking at this IPL edition to bounce back for Team India reckoning.
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