How Punjab Kings Finally Cracked The Auction To Be In IPL 2025 Final

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Shreyas Iyer and Preity Zinta [Source: @_PatilVishwajit/x.com]Shreyas Iyer and Preity Zinta [Source: @_PatilVishwajit/x.com]

The Indian Premier League has a history of 18 years, where only three teams have never lifted the trophy - Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals. However, IPL 2025 has seen a turn of the tables with PBKS and RCB all set to play in the final. 

Over the years, the Punjab Kings have struggled to find a perfect combination and the team chemistry to go the distance. But during the IPL 2025 mega auction, the Punjab Kings on improving certain things and that has changed their fortunes in the 18th edition of the tournament. 

5. Picking Up Utility Buys

During the IPL 2025 mega auction, the Punjab Kings concentrated on picking up players who can suit the team composition but do not cost too much of their purse. Priyansh Arya for ₹3.80 Cr, retaining Prabhsimran Singh for ₹4 Cr, Nehal Wadhera for ₹4.20 Cr, Josh Inglis for ₹2.60 Cr. and many more such buys. 

These players came at a moderate price and enriched the team. They exactly suited the roles PBKS needed and as a team they saw their dream run to the final of the tournament. 

4. Acquiring Player For Exact Roles

Punjab Kings concentrated more on buying players for roles rather than going for random big names. From the last couple of seasons, they have tried to play a particular brand of cricket. Even though it has not been successful before, the management led by Ricky Ponting identified the need to recruit players for the roles and that has paid off for them.

A perfect example is Priyansh Arya. The designated role of this young opener is to provide a boost for the team at the beginning of the innings. They don't expect consistency or him providing stability at the top. The blast that was expected of him, he has provided in almost all the games. 

It has been buys like this that has been the characteristic of the PBKS team in IPL 2025. 

3. Building A Strong Indian Core

One of the main success mantra in Indian Premier League is having a strong Indian core. During the IPL 2025 auction, Punjab Kings concentrated on gathering a group of Indian players who could form their core for at least the next four to five seasons. With Shreyas Iyer at the helm and young players like Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Nehal Wadhera, Arshdeep Singh at their disposal the Punjab Kings look like a team well settled for doing in next several seasons. 

2. Finding The Perfect Blend Of Experience And Freshness

While assembling their team for the IPL 2025 season, the Punjab Kings have found a perfect blend of experience and freshness. Players like Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh have the age on their side and are also experienced at the highest level of the game. On the other hand, they have names like Yuzvendra Chahal and Marcus Stoinis who have been bringing their teams out of trouble for years. 

While there is so much experience, there are players like Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, and Nehal Wadhera who suit the modern style of T20 cricket and has been a valuable part of the team's journey. 

1. Spending On A Captain

Punjab Kings came in with the highest purse in the IPL 2025 mega auction. They retained only a couple of uncapped players in Prabhsimran Singh and Shasank Singh and were ready to spend a fortune on a captain who around whome they can form their squad. 

Shreyas Iyer was their first target and they went all in for him. The management spent ₹26.75 Cr for the Indian middle order batter and IPL 2024 winning skipper and as it appeared they could have gone further for him. He has captained the team brilliantly and has led the team from the front taking them to the final. Thus it was an investment that gave them the best return. 

Conclusion

After an era of being below average, it was time that Punjab Kings found a way out. They have repeatedly made blunders in auctions over multiple seasons. However, come the 2025 mega auction, the PBKS management decided to spend wisely and look for utility options rather than going after big stars. Things have changed from the management's part and as it seems it has changed for the best.