IPL 2025 Punjab Kings Strongest Squad Players List – Rohit Sharma Captain
PBKS in search of a new leader for a new season in our strongest squad and players list for Punjab Kings for IPL 2025.
The Mega Auction for the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League is only a few months away, and If there is one team that would want a restart in the competition, it is the Punjab Kings. They are one of the only three teams in the competition alongside RCB and Delhi Capitals who are yet to get their hands on the trophy. It’s unfortunate, but the team, barring the 2014 season never really has been able to build a solid core.
The year 2024 was no different for the Punjab Kings as the team lacked big match-winners, and from the Indian contingent, there were hardly any big names in the team. Such is the scenario of the team that when it comes to retention, the team may be in a situation to only retain uncapped players like Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma, as they will be available at a lesser price. But the team may not be in a situation to give big bucks to average players.
But ignoring the price discussion for the team, there are a few potential players in the side, whom PBKS can buy back in the Auction at a relatively lesser price than the retention price. However, there are not more than 10-12 such players. Hence, the team will have to address their concerns big time in the Auction. So, assuming things go according to their plan, here’s the strongest team that the Punjab Kings can assemble.
IPL 2025 Dream Trophy Winning Squad List for Punjab Kings (PBKS)
The first thing that Punjab Kings did this season was hire Ricky Ponting as their Head Coach for IPL 2025 and onwards. This is a great start for Punjab Kings, who are looking to restart their IPL career, and who better than Ponting himself, who has had tremendous success with the Mumbai Indians previously. With Coach confirmed, all Punjab Kings need is a solid Captain given that Dhawan may not be available with them for IPL 2025.
Now, Ponting at the helm can signal big for a potential move of Rohit Sharma from Mumbai Indians to Punjab Kings. As we know, Rohit was already relinquished of his Captaincy duties in Mumbai Indians from last year. This was a big move, and the disappointment in Rohit, who was already Captaining India in all three formats could well be clearly seen. Rohit does have a few years of cricket left in him, and with Punjab looking for a new Captain, Rohit could be their best bet with Ponting supporting him.
Now, If Punjab Kings get Rohit Sharma, they can then look to buy or retain existing players. So, if they were to look at their best existing players, they can look to retain the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Sam Curran, Ashutosh Sharma, Shashank Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, and Harshal Patel. These players performed well for PBKS in IPL 2024 and before, and Punjab would try their best to get these players back.
PBKS New Players for IPL 2025
Aside from these players, Punjab Kings may also want the likes of Atharva Taide, Harpreet Brar, Harpreet Bhatia, Prabsimran Singh, and Rahul Chahar among Indian players. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings would like to once again have the likes of Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, Nathan Ellis, and Sikandar Raza among overseas players. These are not compulsory additions, but some good invested players to get back from the Auction.
So, as we can see, alongside Rohit Sharma, Punjab Kings may want nearly 17 players in their side from the existing set. Now, if we talk about the gaps in the side, the team needs more solid batters. Punjab Kings can look at Devdutt Padikkal, who may be released by LSG as a potential add-on for the opening category. A player like Nehal Wadhera will be gold for Punjab Kings, given he is from Punjab, and was also groomed under Rohit Sharma.
Meanwhile, aside from these two, Punjab Kings can look at a solid batter in the form of Aiden Markram and a brilliant all-rounder like Mitchell Marsh. If Punjab Kings don’t spend much on retention, there is a highly likely chance of getting all these players from the Auction. In addition, players like Deepak Hooda, Sanvir Singh, Gurkeerat Singh, Raj Bawa, and Mayank Markande can act as solid backups in the side.
IPL 2025 Dream Squad and Players List for Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Batters:
- Ashutosh Sharma
- Atharva Taide
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Gurkeerat Singh
- Harpreet Bhatia
- Nehal Wadhera
- Rohit Sharma (c)
- Shashank Singh
Wicket-keepers:
- Jitesh Sharma
- Jonny Bairstow (f)
- Prabsimran Singh
All-rounders:
- Aiden Markram (f)
- Deepak Hooda
- Harpreet Brar
- Liam Livingstone (f)
- Mitchell Marsh (f)
- Raj Bawa
- Sam Curran (f)
- Sanvir Singh
- Sikandar Raza (f)
Bowlers:
- Arshdeep Singh
- Harshal Patel
- Kagiso Rabada (f)
- Mayank Markande
- Nathan Ellis (f)
So, that’s about the strongest squad that Punjab Kings can build for IPL 2025. It goes without saying that PBKS won’t get everything on the platter. Hence, we have to look at players who the teams will release, and PBKS have a higher chance of buying those players. Now, talking about the strongest playing 11 from the above options, we are looking at Rohit Sharma and Devdutt Padikkal opening, Mitchell Marsh at number 3, Shashank Singh at 4, Jitesh Sharma at 5, Liam Livingstone at 6, Nehal Wadhera at 7, Sam Curran at 8, Harshal Patel at 9, Arshdeep Singh at 10, and Kagiso Rabada at 11. Whereas Mayank Markande can play the role of an impact player.