IPL 2026: 3 PBKS Players Who Could Be Traded Before the IPL Auction
Punjab Kings (PBKS) made it to the IPL final for the first time since 2014, but their wait for a maiden title continued as they lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who lifted the trophy for the first time. Despite the heartbreak, Punjab can be proud of their strong showing in IPL 2025 under new captain Shreyas Iyer.
Young players like Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, and Nehal Wadhera impressed with their performances and played key roles throughout the season. Punjab Kings will know that with a few tweaks to their line-up, they can assemble an even stronger squad, which could take them the distance in the upcoming edition of the IPL next year.
Glenn Maxwell
For the first time since 2020, Glenn Maxwell came back to Punjab Kings in IPL 2025. The 2025 season was difficult for him. He was bought for ₹4.2 crore, but in seven matches, he only scored 48 runs. He averaged 8 with a strike rate below 100. He was dropped mid-season, and he ended up with a broken finger and being ruled out.
Although Maxwell has played well in international cricket, he couldn’t find the same form in the IPL. With Punjab having many strong overseas players, it will be hard for him to get back into the main team. If Punjab can’t trade him before the next auction, they may release him to free up ₹4.2 crore and use it to strengthen their squad.
Marcus Stoinis
Marcus Stoinis had two good IPL seasons with Lucknow in 2023 and 2024, but things didn’t go well after Punjab bought him for INR 11 crore in the mega-auction. The Australian all-rounder scored only 160 runs in 13 matches, averaging 26.67, and didn’t hit a single fifty for the first time since 2022. With the ball, he took just one wicket, his lowest in any IPL season.
Stoinis has not played too many T20Is for Australia in 2025. Punjab could be reluctant about retaining the 36-year-old, especially with younger and in-form all-rounders like Azmatullah Omarzai and Marco Jansen in the line-up. If they are not able to trade Stoinis, they could let him go into the auction and re-sign him for a lower price.
Yash Thakur
Yash Thakur, who impressed with a four-wicket haul in IPL 2023 and a five-wicket haul in 2024 for Lucknow Super Giants, was bought by Punjab Kings for INR 1.60 crore in the IPL 2025 mega-auction. However, he featured in only two matches, conceding 79 runs in 6.3 overs at an economy rate of 12.15.
The 26-year-old has broken into the India A side and will want to spend more time playing games than warming the bench. With the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Marco Jansen in the side, it will be tough for Thakur to get too many games. However, many teams could be interested in signing the youngster and giving him more chances in the playing XI.