IPL 2025: Aakash Chopra finalizes Punjab Kings' retentions, claims 'no 18 crore-worthy player in squad'

Former India opener Aakash Chopra reckons that Punjab Kings do not have any player worth 18 crores in their current squad. Chopra also feels that all the English players will be removed before the IPL 2025 mega auction since Ricky Ponting has been appointed as the head coach.

Punjab Kings are one of the worst-performing teams in the history of the IPL and are one of the four teams who are yet to win an IPL title so far. They last made it to the playoffs way back in 2014 when they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders in the final.

However, they have made significant changes in their coaching staff for the upcoming season with Ricky Ponting as the new head coach of the team. Under Ponting, the Kings hope to turn things around and start afresh.

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Aakash Chopra argues on Punjab Kings' retention picks

While speaking in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra wondered if Punjab Kings will go with a new approach and a new set of players this time. He added that Punjab has good quality of uncapped players but do not seem to have any player worth of the first retention pick of INR 18 crore.

"New coach, new thinking, new approach. If they go with that, will they want to retain anyone? Do they have anyone worth 18 crores? They have uncapped players but does Punjab have any capped players worthy of 18 crores?" Aakash Chopra wondered.

Punjab Kings is a team known for making too many changes but haven't been able to produce a title-winning performance so far. Before Ponting, they were previously coached by Trevor Bayliss. They finished 9th on the points table in IPL 2024.

"English players will be made to stand next to the door" - Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra also shared his views on the retention of English players in the team. According to him, all of the England players are likely to be released since Ricky Ponting has been appointed as the coach of the team.

"They spent a lot of money on Sam Curran and retained him but Trevor Bayliss was there at that time. They had kept many English players. Now since Ricky Ponting has come, all English players will be made to stand next to the door. I feel Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow and Chris Woakes will all go," the cricketer-turned-commentator noted.

Punjab Kings have long relied upon their heavy English recruits to do the job for them. Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, and Jonny Bairstow have played a few crucial knocks but they haven't taken the team to the final.

RTM card for Arshdeep Singh, reckons Aakash Chopra

The former India batter further mentioned that RTM could be used for the left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh. Chopra feels that Arshdeep is not likely to be the first retention pick for the Kings but RTM could be used to get him back in Kings squad. He also opined that the likes of Shashank Singh, Ashutosh Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh could be on PBKS' radar for retention as uncapped players.

"I want to retain Arshdeep (Singh) but I won't retain him for 18 crores. I will let him go as I have the Right to Match card in any case. I will use it later, however much he might be sold for. I don't think any Indian fast bowler will go for 18 crores at the mega auction unless he is Jasprit Bumrah, who won't come to the auction," Aakash Chopra opined.

Arshdeep Singh is one of the few players in the Punjab Kings team who has been a constant. The left-arm fast bowler is a consistent performer for the team and is their premier bowler in all the phases of the game.

Punjab Kings made it to the IPL playoffs in the inaugural edition in 2008. Their second playoffs appearance was in 2014. Over the years, they have struggled to go far in the season despite starting well. They will hope for a change in fortunes under new team management next season.