The Punjab Kings are shaking things up ahead of the 2026 IPL season! After a stellar performance in 2025, reaching the final under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, the franchise has made some surprising decisions during the player retention window.
But here's the twist: instead of their typical squad overhaul, they've retained a whopping 20 players! This includes Iyer himself, the ace fast bowler Arshdeep Singh, and the experienced spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. The franchise also kept international stars like Xavier Bartlett, Marcus Stoinis, and Lockie Ferguson.
Here's a breakdown of the retained players and their retention prices:
| Names | Role | Retention Price (INR) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Shashank Singh | All-rounder | 4 crore |
| Prabhsimran Singh | Wicketkeeper-batter | 4 crore |
| Arshdeep Singh | Fast bowler | 18 crore |
| Shreyas Iyer | Batter | 26.75 crore |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | Spinner | 18 crore |
| ...and more! | ... | ... |
And now, the controversial part: the Punjab Kings released five players, including the renowned Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who failed to make a significant impact in his third stint with the team. This decision has sparked debates among fans and experts alike.
| Names | Role | Released Amount (INR) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Glenn Maxwell | All-rounder | 4.20 crore |
| Aaron Hardie | All-rounder | 1.25 crore |
| Kuldeep Sen | Fast bowler | 80 lakh |
| Praveen Dubey | Spinner | 30 lakh |
| Josh Inglis | Wicketkeeper-batter | 2.5 crore |
With a remaining purse of Rs. 11.50 crore and four slots to fill, including two for overseas players, the Punjab Kings are gearing up for an exciting mini auction. Will they find the missing pieces to their championship puzzle? Only time will tell!
What do you think of the Punjab Kings' retention strategy? Are you surprised by any of the released players? Share your thoughts below, and let's discuss the team's prospects for the upcoming IPL season!
