The Punjab Kings (PBKS) management successfully built a formidable squad at the IPL 2025 mega auction, aiming to create a winning core for the future. The team’s impressive auction strategy was the result of meticulous planning and collaboration among the coaches, scouts, and analysts.
Ness Wadia, the co-owner of PBKS, commended the team’s scouting efforts and highlighted the invaluable contribution of head coach Ricky Ponting. “It’s a pleasure to work alongside Ricky (Ponting) and learn so much from him. We also had outstanding analysts, Saurabh and Ashish, who dedicated 200-300 hours in the last month and a half. All their hard work has paid off, and now the focus shifts to playing,” Wadia said.
Wadia also emphasized the family-like atmosphere within the franchise, stressing the importance of teamwork and camaraderie between players and backroom staff. “It feels like a family here, with Saurabh, Satish, and everyone else contributing. Ricky brings humility, experience, and world-class leadership. We are proud to have him as part of our team,” he added.
Preity Zinta, another co-owner, expressed her excitement about the auction results. “Auctions are always dynamic, but securing over ninety percent of the players we wanted is fantastic. It was a bittersweet experience, letting go of some players, but our approach of going with a clean slate and maximum purse gave us the flexibility to build something fresh,” Zinta explained.
She also highlighted the team’s new direction with fresh additions to the squad, including some familiar faces. “This season, we have a new coach, a new stadium, and a renewed sense of hope. We’ve brought back key players like Stoinis, Maxwell, and Arsh, who is also Punjabi. Plus, we’ve added exciting young talents like Nehal Wadhera and Harnoor,” Zinta noted.
Zinta expressed gratitude to the loyal Punjab Kings fans, promising them a strong performance this season. “Thank you to all our fans for your unwavering support. You are the best fans in the world, and we’re determined to give our best and hopefully bring home the trophy for you,” she said.
Ricky Ponting, who led the auction efforts in Jeddah, also shared his satisfaction with the outcome. “The auction couldn’t have gone much better. It was a massive team effort, with the analysts providing invaluable insights on local players. I’m familiar with the overseas players, but the analysts’ work was key in making this a successful auction,” Ponting remarked.
Punjab Kings IPL 2025 Squad:
- Batters: Shubman Gill (retained), Sai Sudharsan (retained), Rahul Tewatia (retained), Sherfane Rutherford
- Wicketkeepers: Jos Buttler, Kumar Kushagra, Anuj Rawat
- Allrounders: Rashid Khan (spin; retained), Washington Sundar (spin), M Shahrukh Khan (spin; retained), Mahipal Lomror (spin), Nishant Sindhu (spin), Arshad Khan (pace), Jayant Yadav (spin), Glenn Phillips (spin), Karim Janat (pace)
- Spinners: Manav Suthar, Sai Kishore
- Fast Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gerald Coetzee, Gurnoor Brar, Ishant Sharma, Kulwant Khejroliya.