
Punjab Kings have been one of the most inconsistent teams in IPL history, never quite managing to string together a title-winning campaign. After a disastrous 2024 season, the franchise took a bold approach, retaining just two players – Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh – and completely revamping their squad. With Shreyas Iyer now leading the team and Ricky Ponting as head coach, Punjab is hoping for a fresh start in IPL 2025.
The new squad looks impressive on paper, with key additions like Jos Inglis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Yuzvendra Chahal, Nehal Wadhera, and Marco Jansen. These players bring a mix of firepower, all-round ability, and experience, which Punjab has lacked in previous seasons. Iyer’s leadership will also be crucial, given his success with KKR last season, where he led them to the title.
The biggest challenge for Punjab Kings will be team cohesion. With so many new faces, building chemistry quickly will be vital. The squad certainly has match-winners, but how well they gel under Iyer and Ponting remains to be seen. Their batting lineup looks strong, but their bowling attack will need to step up, especially after letting go of Kagiso Rabada. If Punjab can hit the ground running and find the right balance early on, they have the potential to make a serious title push. But given their history, fans will be cautiously optimistic. Could this finally be the season where Punjab Kings lift their first IPL trophy? Only time will tell.
PBKS’s journey in the IPL 2025 will feature some blockbuster clashes. Here’s their complete schedule:
| Match No. | Date | Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 25 | GT vs PBKS | 7:30 PM | Ahmedabad |
| 2 | April 1 | LSG vs PBKS | 7:30 PM | Lucknow |
| 3 | April 5 | PBKS vs RR | 7:30 PM | New Chandigarh |
| 4 | April 8 | PBKS vs CSK | 7:30 PM | New Chandigarh |
| 5 | April 12 | SRH vs PBKS | 7:30 PM | Hyderabad |
| 6 | April 15 | PBKS vs RR | 7:30 PM | New Chandigarh |
| 7 | April 18 | RCB vs PBKS | 7:30 PM | Bengaluru |
| 8 | April 20 | PBKS vs RCB | 7:30 PM | New Chandigarh |
| 9 | April 26 | KKR vs PBKS | 7:30 PM | Kolkata |
| 10 | April 30 | CSK vs PBKS | 7:30 PM | Chennai |
| 11 | May 4 | PBKS vs LSG | 7:30 PM | Dharamshala |
| 12 | May 8 | PBKS vs DC | 7:30 PM | Dharamshala |
| 13 | May 11 | PBKS vs MI | 3:30 PM | Dharamshala |
| 14 | May 16 | RR vs PBKS | 7:30 PM | Jaipur |
PBKS has retained a core group of players while making some valuable additions during the IPL 2025 auction. Here’s the complete PBKS squad:
Batters:
Priyansh Arya, Pyla Avinash, Shreyas Iyer, Suryansh Shedge, Harnoor Singh, Nehal Wadhera
Wicket Keepers:
Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis, Vishnu Vinod
All-rounders:
Shashank Singh, Aaron Hardie, Marco Jansen, Musheer Khan, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai
Bowlers:
Xavier Bartlett, Harpreet Brar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Praveen Dubey, Lockie Ferguson, Kuldeep Sen, Arshdeep Singh, Yash Thakur, Vijaykumar Vyshak
PBKS’s hopes of winning their first IPL title will largely depend on the performance of their star players. Here are the key players to watch out for:
1. Shreyas Iyer – The Skipper
Shreyas Iyer arrives at Punjab Kings with huge expectations after leading KKR to the IPL title last season. His ability to anchor an innings makes him a vital presence at the top. But beyond his batting, it’s his calm and tactical leadership that Punjab will be counting on. Adding to the excitement is his reunion with Ricky Ponting, a partnership that took Delhi Capitals to the IPL final in 2020. If Iyer and Ponting can recreate that magic, Punjab Kings could finally have their breakthrough season.
2. Prabhsimran Singh – Pillar of PBKS Batting Lineup
Prabhsimran Singh has shown glimpses of his potential, and Punjab Kings will be hoping he can build on that in IPL 2025. His fearless batting at the top was on full display last season, especially in Punjab’s record-breaking run chase against KKR, where he played a crucial role. When he bats with that kind of intent, he becomes a real game-changer. With a fresh squad and a new captain in Shreyas Iyer, Prabhsimran has a great opportunity to establish himself as a long-term pillar for Punjab Kings.
3. Shashank Singh – Distractive Batter
Shashank Singh finally had his breakout IPL season last year after spending years on the sidelines, and Punjab Kings will be expecting even more from him in 2025. His ability to finish games with power-hitting at the back end of an innings is exactly what IPL teams crave, and Punjab has found a reliable option in him. Now, the challenge is to push on and score even more runs. With a revamped squad and a new setup under Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting, Shashank might even get a chance to bat higher in the order.
4. Marcus Stoinis – The Game-Changer
Marcus Stoinis brings a much-needed balance to Punjab Kings with his all-round abilities. He can smash quick runs in the middle order and also chip in with the ball when needed. Punjab lacked a genuine all-rounder last season, and Stoinis could be the missing piece that helps them compete in crunch moments. His experience in high-pressure games will be invaluable, especially for a team trying to rebuild.
5. Arshdeep Singh – The Spearhead
Arshdeep Singh has been one of Punjab Kings' most consistent performers, and with a new-look squad, his role becomes even more crucial. His ability to bowl under pressure, especially in the death overs, makes him a key player for Punjab. With experienced bowlers like Kagiso Rabada no longer in the squad, Arshdeep will have to take on more responsibility. If he can continue delivering with the ball and step up as a leader in the attack, Punjab Kings will have a solid foundation in their bowling department.
6. Glenn Maxwell – The X-Factor
Glenn Maxwell’s return to Punjab Kings brings both excitement and expectation. When Maxwell is in full flow, he can tear apart any bowling attack, and Punjab will be hoping he delivers big performances under pressure. Beyond his batting, his off-spin gives Punjab an extra bowling option, especially on spin-friendly tracks. With a revamped squad and new leadership, Maxwell's experience will be invaluable. If he can produce the kind of performances he’s capable of, Punjab Kings will have one of the most explosive lineups in IPL 2025.
PBKS’s Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2025
Based on form, consistency, and match conditions, here’s the predicted PBKS playing XI for IPL 2025:
Impact Players: Josh Inglis, Yash Thakur
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
PBKS has built a formidable squad with a solid combination of experienced players and emerging talent. If their key players fire consistently and their bowlers deliver in pressure situations, PBKS has a strong chance of making it to the IPL 2025 playoffs and potentially winning their 2nd title.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad are determined to end their title drought in IPL 2025. With power-packed batters, reliable bowlers, and skilled all-rounders, they have a balanced squad capable of making a deep run in the tournament. Fans are eager to see Shreyas Iyer, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Shashank Singh lead the charge in what promises to be an exciting IPL season.
Stay tuned to ScoreWaves for the latest updates on PBKS’s performance, match previews, and expert analysis throughout IPL 2025
Also Read: KKR IPL 2025 Schedule, Squad, Key Players & Predicted Playing XI
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