PBKS Retention List: Which 4 Players May Punjab Kings Retain Ahead Of IPL 2025 Auction?

Punjab Kings (PBKS) concluded their IPL 2024 league stage with a 4-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), marking their ninth defeat and placing them ninth on the points table.

PBKS has reached the playoffs only twice in IPL history and has finished outside the top four for ten consecutive seasons. In 17 seasons, PBKS has missed playoff positions 15 times.

Before the 2024 IPL Auction, PBKS retained their core squad but made some questionable additions. Injuries plagued several players throughout the season, affecting team performance.

Skipper Shikhar Dhawan missed most of the season, and Liam Livingstone also missed a few games due to injury. Jonny Bairstow struggled for form early in the season but improved later, although it was too late to impact the team's fortunes significantly.

Sam Curran, PBKS's biggest buy, led the team in Dhawan's absence and performed well in several matches. Harshal Patel and Arshdeep Singh also contributed with the ball. However, PBKS needs to make strategic decisions before their next campaign, starting with the auction.

The IPL 2025 auction will be a mega auction similar to 2022 when PBKS retained only Mayank Agarwal and Arshdeep Singh. Mayank was named captain in 2022 but was released the following season.

Teams are reportedly allowed only four retentions like previous mega auctions. However, franchise owners have requested the BCCI to allow up to eight retentions per team.

While there is no official confirmation on the number of retentions allowed ahead of IPL 2025 Mega Auction, it is likely that each team can retain a minimum of four players. Additionally, a Right To Match (RTM) card may be available for every team.

If only four players are allowed to be retained, PBKS faces a significant dilemma on whom to release and retain ahead of the next auction after finally finding some stability in the 2024 season.

Captain Dhawan's time at the franchise and possibly the IPL might be over. Therefore, it is unlikely for PBKS to retain him as he is out of favour with Indian selectors.

Sam Curran is very likely to be PBKS's first retention. However, who among Shashank Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Jonny Bairstow, Rahul Chahar, and Liam Livingstone will join Curran?

Jitesh Sharma, who has been considered for captaincy, is likely to be retained alongside Arshdeep Singh, who excels in all three stages of the game with the ball. These three players are expected to be retained by PBKS before the next auction.

Harpreet Brar, Ashutosh Sharma, and other stars may be considered during the auction. Meanwhile, PBKS might opt for a player who would be challenging to acquire at the auction for their remaining retention slot.

The final retention could be either Prabhsimran Singh or Shashank Singh. The one not retained among these two is likely to be bought back using the RTM card. Below is a possible retention list for Punjab Kings:

PBKS Retention List 2025

• Sam Curran - retained
• Arshdeep Singh - retained
• Jitesh Sharma - retained
• Shashank Singh – RTM/retained
• Prabhsimran Singh - RTM/retained