Punjab Kings have begun their pre-auction reset by parting ways with four players — Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie, Kuldeep Sen and Vishnu Vinod ahead of the IPL auction scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi. The decision marks the franchise’s first major movement since their runners-up finish last season, where Punjab reached the final before losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Despite their strong end to the campaign, the team has opted for a rebalanced squad as they prepare for the next phase.
Maxwell’s release follows a difficult season in which the Australian all-rounder struggled for form. He appeared in seven matches, scoring a meagre 48 runs and taking four wickets, before a finger injury ruled him out of the remainder of the tournament. He was later replaced by fellow Australian Mitchell Owen, and the franchise has now chosen to move on. Hardie, who was bought for Rs 1.25 crore at the last auction, did not get a game through the season. His exit was confirmed to news agency PTI by an IPL source, with Punjab Kings looking to free up overseas slots heading into the December auction. Among the domestic names, both Kuldeep Sen and Vishnu Vinod leave without featuring in a single match in IPL 2025. Sen had joined the franchise for Rs 80 lakh at the mega auction but remained on the bench throughout Punjab’s run to the final. Vinod, who arrived ahead of the season, last played an IPL match in 2023 during his stint with Mumbai Indians.
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Punjab Kings are expected to announce more clarity on their retention strategy as the deadline closes, with the franchise preparing for a competitive auction pool and possible structural changes. Their run last year, which saw moments of inconsistency but ultimately culminated in a late push to the title clash has prompted a reassessment of squad depth in key roles. With several teams entering the auction looking for all-round options and domestic backups, Punjab’s released list adds four notable names to the player pool. The franchise will now look to rebuild around its core as it attempts another deep run in IPL 2026.
