Kagiso Rabada And...? 3 PBKS Rejects Who Can Be MVPs For Their Teams In IPL 2025

3 PBKS Rejects Who Can Be MVPs For Their Teams In IPL 2025 [Source: @MRJITUBOSS18/X.com]3 PBKS Rejects Who Can Be MVPs For Their Teams In IPL 2025 [Source: @MRJITUBOSS18/X.com]

Punjab Kings took a bold call ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction by retaining only two players. Even though they used RTM for a couple of key players, a few rejected candidates might witness a change in fortune next year.

For IPL 2025, they rebuilt the entire squad with a mere two retained players to head into the mega auction, which gave them an aggregate available purse of INR 110.5 crore. At the auction table, PBKS managed to buy back Arshdeep Singh, but a few notable names slipped out of their grip due to their high demand. 

Meanwhile, here are 3 such rejected candidates from Punjab who could make it big with their new teams next year.

3. Harshal Patel

Harshal Patel, PBKS [Source: @17KhushiMishra/X.com]Harshal Patel, PBKS [Source: @17KhushiMishra/X.com]

Harshal Patel may not be a household name in Indian cricket, but his IPL experience makes him stand out. Having started his IPL journey in 2012, Harshal Patel has risen as a reliable wicket-taker, especially in crunch situations. 

He won a purple cap with RCB and moved to PBKS in IPL 2024. While Punjab used an RTM car for him, SRH increased the bid to INR 8 crore to outclass the former. That being said, Patel, who has been so accurate with death overs, would line up for a highly talented pace lineup at SRH along with Mohammed Shami and Pat Cummins.

2. Sam Curran

Sam Curran, PBKS [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]Sam Curran, PBKS [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]

Sam Curran joined PBKS for INR 18.50 crore in 2023 as the costliest pick of that year's auction. But after two seasons with 26 wickets and 500+ runs, Punjab released him into the IPL 2025 mega auction, where CSK secured his services for INR 2.40 crore. Even though his salary may have crashed down, Curran remains an impactful all-rounder choice. 

CSK had already seen a success stint with Curran by applying his all-round skill of batting and bowling positions, so he has the comfort of adjusting any position and bowl crucial overs in death. The inclusion of this player might just work miracles for CSK at that bargain price of INR 2.4 crores.

1. Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada, PBKS [Source: @G_MaaneGenius/X.com]Kagiso Rabada, PBKS [Source: @G_MaaneGenius/X.com]

Kagiso Rabada is by far the biggest fumble of PBKS in the IPL 2025 mega auction. After a 30-wicket season in 2020, purple cap winner Rabada was bought by Punjab in IPL 2022. Across three seasons, he scalped 41 wickets for PBKS before the franchise not only released him but also refused to use an RTM card during the mega auction. 

The pacer subsequently landed at Gujarat Titans for INR 10.75 crore. Rabada could be a game-changer option for GT as he has the ability to take wickets. Having already won the Purple Cap in 2020, Rabada's addition will help Gujarat have an experienced and dynamic pace bowling option for key match situations. With the right stage, Rabada has the potential to be an MVP for GT.