Jansen rises as a batting monster: A definite threat to Marcus Stoinis' IPL spot in PBKS?

Jansen's rise means end of the road for Stoinis? [Source: AFP Photo]

After a crushing defeat in the Test series against South Africa, Team India bounced back in the ODIs with a close-fought victory in Ranchi on Sunday. Courtesy of Virat Kohli’s stunning 52nd ODI century and a four-wicket haul from Kuldeep Yadav, India snatched the win, but not before the Marco Jansen scare they received.

The game was over as South Africa had lost more than half the side, and the required rate was well above 7. This is when Jansen showed his newfound hitting ability as the batter toyed with the Indian bowlers and smacked 70 off 39 balls before Kuldeep took his wicket and ended his brilliant knock.

The knock for the ages has certainly put his IPL franchise, Punjab Kings, on notice, and this could be trouble for his PBKS teammate, Marco Stoinis, as the IPL 2025 finalists have found their finisher for next season, leaving Stoinis' IPL career in jeopardy.

Marco Jansen's  numbers in 2025

(Jansen in ODIs in 2025)

• Having only played 4 matches, the striking ability of Jansen’s ODI career in 2025 has been his astonishing strike rate. The batter has struck at 155.32, showcasing his brute power-hitting ability.
• Not only in Tests, but Jansen has been showcasing his class in the Tests as well. The batter has a strike rate of 93, and he has taken his game to the next level this year.
• Even in the Guwahati Test against India, his quick-fire knock of 93 off 91 changed the course of the game, and this makes him an aggressive commodity across formats.

The importance of Jansen in PBKS

• Punjab Kings hardly has any weaknesses in their armour, and they will once again enter the IPL 2026 season as one of the favourites. However, the lack of quality finishing options hurt their cause last season. Yes, there was Shashank Singh at 7, but they needed someone to take the game away at 6, and this is the role Jansen can fulfil.
• At 5, there is Nehal Wadhera, and with Shashank at number 7, PBKS would like to incorporate Jansen at 6, so that the team has two quality finishers in the side at 6, and 7.

The Marcus Stoinis problem for PBKS

PBKS paid a hefty 11 crores to acquire the Aussie all-rounder, but he had an underwhelming season with the bat, and hardly delivered with the ball.

(Stoinis in IPL 2025)

•   While he had decent numbers with the bat, as an all-rounder, Stoinis had a disappointing campaign. He only scalped a solitary wicket, and the economy rate was on the higher side as well.
• On the contrary, Jansen had an economy rate of 9 in the IPL 2025 and picked up 16 wickets in the season to help the team reach the finals.
• Moreover, PBKS could still keep Stoinis as a back-up, but should promote Jansen at 6 to utilise his hitting abilities.

Final verdict

Marco Jansen is in the form of his life, and his all-around abilities should be utilised properly by the Punjab Kings. He has the ability to take the game away in the blink of an eye, and hence, the Punjab side should make sure that the South African gets to play most of the matches next season, but that would mean Marcus Stoinis might have to be sacrificed.

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