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RTM For Arshdeep, Kagiso; No Retention For Punjab Kings Before IPL 2025: Ex-SRH Coach

Aakash Saini

Punjab Kings finished ninth in IPL 2024 [Source: @PunjabKingsIPL/x]Punjab Kings finished ninth in IPL 2024 [Source: @PunjabKingsIPL/x]

Former SRH coach Tom Moody is of the opinion that the Punjab Kings franchise should not retain any player ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Instead, the former Australian cricketer claimed that the franchise should use Right to Match (RTM) cards for players like Arshdeep Singh, Sam Curram and Kagiso Rabada.

Moody also advocated for the inclusion of young Indian wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma for the upcoming season.

Tom Moody urges PBKS to focus on uncapped players

Earlier this year during the IPL 2024 season, the Punjab Kings franchise secured just five wins from 14 games to finish at number nine on the 10-team points table. Their disappointing campaign can be attributed to the collective batting failures of all the senior members of the line-up.

Surprisingly, uncapped Indian cricketers Shashank Singh (354 runs) and Prabhsimran Singh (334 runs) turned out to be the biggest run-makers for the franchise. IPL cult hero Abhishek Sharma also broke through with 189 runs at a staggering strike rate of 167.25 down the order.

Former Australian cricketer Tom Moody urged the Punjab Kings franchise to focus on uncapped players by securing Shashank Singh, as well as left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar for the IPL 2025 season. While speaking on the Star Sports Network, he said:

“When it comes to uncapped players, there are a couple of good players I'd like to secure before the auction: Shashank Singh, a solid middle-order power hitter who had a great season last year, and Harpreet Brar, the left-arm spinner.”

Tom Moody also advised the Punjab Kings team management to use RTM cards for Indian fast bowler Arshdeep Singh, overseas stars Sam Curran and Kagiso Rabada and for blistering wicketkeeper-better Jitesh Sharma. He added:

“For Punjab Kings, I don't think I would retain any players, certainly not capped players. I'd be looking to use the right-to-match option for players like Arshdeep Singh, Sam Curran, and Rabada. Jitesh Sharma is another one I'd consider using the right-to-match for in the auction.”

The Punjab Kings franchise is already on course of making some drastic changes to the line-up in lieu of the IPL 2025 season. A couple of months prior to the mega auction, the franchise roped in Australia’s World Cup winning skipper and former Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting as the new head coach of the team.