Full List of Retained and Released Players by Punjab Kings Ahead of IPL 2024 Auction

In preparation for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 mini-auction, Punjab Kings (PBKS) has recently announced their list of retained and released players. The franchise has made strategic decisions to retain key players while parting ways with others. Let's take a closer look at the players who have been retained and the ones who have been released.

Retained Players

PBKS has retained a total of 19 players who have proven their worth and contribution to the team. These players include some notable names who have consistently performed and played crucial roles in the team's success. Let's delve into the list of retained players:

Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow, Jitesh Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh, Matthew Short, Atharva Taide, Harpreet Bhatia, Rishi Dhawan, Sam Curran, Sikandar Raza, Liam Livingstone, Gurnoor Singh Brar, Shivam Singh, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, Vidwath Kaverappa, Kagiso Rabada and Nathan Ellis

Shikhar Dhawan: The skipper of Punjab Kings, Shikhar Dhawan, has been retained by the franchise. Dhawan's leadership skills and consistent performances with the bat have made him an indispensable part of the team.

Jonny Bairstow: The English wicket-keeper batsman, Jonny Bairstow, has also been retained by PBKS. Bairstow's explosive batting and ability to adapt to different situations make him a valuable asset for the team.

Jitesh Sharma: The emerging talent, Jitesh Sharma, has been retained by Punjab Kings. Sharma has shown promise with both the bat and gloves, proving himself as a reliable wicket-keeper-batsman.

Prabhsimran Singh: Another young talent, Prabhsimran Singh, has been retained by PBKS. Singh has impressed with his batting skills and has the potential to become a key player for the franchise in the future.

Matthew Short: The Australian all-rounder, Matthew Short, has been retained by Punjab Kings. Short's ability to contribute with both bat and ball adds depth to the team.

Atharva Taide: Punjab Kings has decided to retain Atharva Taide, a promising young player who has shown glimpses of his talent with the bat.

Harpreet Bhatia: Harpreet Bhatia, a left-handed batsman, has been retained by PBKS. Bhatia's ability to stabilize the innings and play calculated shots makes him a valuable asset.

Rishi Dhawan: The all-rounder, Rishi Dhawan, has been retained by Punjab Kings. Dhawan's ability to contribute with both bat and ball provides the team with versatility.

Sam Curran: The English all-rounder, Sam Curran, has been retained by PBKS. Curran's contributions with both bat and ball have made him a valuable player for the franchise.

Sikandar Raza: Sikandar Raza, the Zimbabwean all-rounder, has been retained by Punjab Kings. Raza's ability to contribute in all departments of the game adds balance to the team.

Liam Livingstone: The hard-hitting English batsman, Liam Livingstone, has been retained by PBKS. Livingstone's power-hitting and ability to score quick runs make him an exciting player to watch.

Gurnoor Singh Brar: Another young talent, Gurnoor Singh Brar, has been retained by Punjab Kings. Brar has shown potential with both bat and ball and has a bright future ahead.

Shivam Singh: Shivam Singh, a talented all-rounder, has been retained by PBKS. Singh's ability to contribute in crucial moments of the game makes him a valuable asset for the team.

Rahul Chahar: The leg-spinner, Rahul Chahar, has been retained by Punjab Kings. Chahar's ability to pick wickets and control the flow of runs adds depth to the team's bowling attack.

Arshdeep Singh: Punjab Kings has decided to retain Arshdeep Singh, a young left-arm fast bowler. Singh's ability to swing the ball and take wickets at crucial moments has earned him a place in the team.

Harpreet Brar: Harpreet Brar, an all-rounder, has been retained by PBKS. Brar's ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a valuable player for the team.

Vidwath Kaverappa: Vidwath Kaverappa, a talented young player, has been retained by Punjab Kings. Kaverappa has shown potential with both bat and ball and is a player to watch out for.

Kagiso Rabada: The South African speedster, Kagiso Rabada, has been retained by PBKS. Rabada's ability to bowl fast and pick up crucial wickets makes him a key player for the team.

Nathan Ellis: The Australian fast bowler, Nathan Ellis, has been retained by Punjab Kings. Ellis has impressed with his variations and ability to take wickets, making him an asset for the team.

Released Players

While PBKS has retained several key players, the franchise has also released a few players ahead of the IPL 2024 mini-auction. Let's take a look at the players who have been released:

Raj Angad Bawa, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Mohit Rathee, Shahrukh Khan and Baltej Dhanda

Raj Angad Bawa: Raj Angad Bawa, an emerging all-rounder, has been released by Punjab Kings. Bawa showed promise but didn't quite establish himself in the team.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa: The Sri Lankan batter, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, has been released by PBKS. Rajapaksa had a commendable performance in the absence of Jonny Bairstow but couldn't replicate the same success in the subsequent season.

Mohit Rathee: Mohit Rathee, a local player, has been released by Punjab Kings. Rathee had limited opportunities and couldn't make a significant impact during his time with the team.

Shahrukh Khan: Shahrukh Khan, who was roped in for a hefty sum in the IPL 2022 mega auction, has been released by PBKS. Khan failed to live up to the expectations and couldn't make a mark in the team.

Baltej Dhanda: Baltej Dhanda, another local player, has been released by Punjab Kings. Dhanda had limited opportunities and couldn't cement his place in the team.

Evaluation: Did PBKS Make the Right Decision?

The decision to retain or release players is always a tough one for any franchise. PBKS has made some interesting choices, keeping a balance between experienced players and emerging talents. However, the evaluation of whether PBKS made the right decision in retaining Sam Curran can be subjective.

Curran, who was acquired for a hefty sum in the previous season, didn't have the best of campaigns. Although he led the franchise in the absence of Shikhar Dhawan for a brief period and made valuable contributions with both bat and ball, his overall performance fell short of expectations. With 276 runs and 10 wickets to his name in the previous season, Curran's performance wasn't as impactful as anticipated.

Ultimately, the decision to retain or release players is based on various factors, including performance, team dynamics, and future prospects. While Sam Curran's performance may not have been exceptional, his all-round abilities and potential to deliver match-winning performances cannot be overlooked. PBKS might believe that Curran still has the potential to make a significant impact in the upcoming season.

Conclusion

PBKS has made strategic decisions in retaining and releasing players ahead of the IPL 2024 mini-auction. The franchise has retained key players who have consistently performed and contributed to the team's success. Additionally, PBKS has also released players who didn't quite live up to expectations or couldn't establish themselves in the team. The evaluation of whether PBKS made the right decision in retaining Sam Curran remains subjective, and only time will tell if he can deliver a standout performance in the upcoming season.