Punjab Kings' potential retain and release list ahead of IPL 2027
Punjab Kings have drawn up a list of players they could retain or release ahead of the Indian Premier League 2027 auction as they reshape the squad around a major incoming signing. The move follows a season in which the side missed the playoffs and comes after a high-profile swap that brought Hardik Pandya into the squad.
Punjab Kings are one of two original IPL franchises, alongside Delhi Capitals, yet to win the title; they reached the final in 2025 under Shreyas Iyer but lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. In the most recent campaign they finished fifth and failed to qualify for the playoffs, having opened with a seven-match unbeaten run before winning only one of their final seven matches and missing out by a single point.
The franchise completed a deal with Mumbai Indians that sent Arshdeep Singh the other way to secure Hardik Pandya ahead of the IPL 2027 auction. PBKS see Hardik’s arrival as a solution to their middle-order concerns, citing his all-round skills and leadership as assets to help Shreyas Iyer assemble the preferred playing combinations.
Arshdeep Singh’s departure is described as leaving a significant gap in Punjab’s bowling unit. The side still lists Hardik Pandya, Marco Jansen and Yash Thakur among their available bowling options, and the management plans to pursue Indian fast-bowling reinforcements to address the vacancy caused by Arshdeep’s exit.
Lockie Ferguson is identified as a candidate for release after a season described as not particularly productive, with Mitchell Owen likewise mentioned as likely to be let go. Releasing those two overseas players would create opportunities to bring in two new foreign signings at the auction.
Additional names flagged for possible release include Harnoor Singh, Praveen Dubey, Pyla Avinash, Vishal Nishad and Vishnu Vinod. The club regard their batting as strong and settled, and the priority in recruitment is securing quality Indian bowlers.
Shreyas Iyer will captain Punjab Kings in IPL 2027, and the franchise intends to finalise retention and release decisions at the upcoming auction to complete the squad for the next season.
