Punjab Kings will not retain any player, will buy these players with the help of RTM

According to former Australian cricketer Tom Moody, Punjab Kings would use the Right to Match (RTM) option for Arshdeep Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Sam Curran, and Kagiso Rabada ahead of the league's blockbuster auction later this year, after the IPL2024 season's poor performance. An IPL team may keep up to six players from its existing team. Either the right-to-match option or retention can do this.

There can be no more than two uncapped players and five capped players (both Indian and foreign) in the six retentions/RTMs. An estimated Rs 120 crore will be raised at the auction for the IPL 2025 franchises. Franchises must complete their retention lists by October 31st.

Speaking to Star Sports about potential IPL retentions for Punjab Kings, Moody said, “For Punjab Kings, I don’t think I will retain any players, certainly not the capped players but I would like to use the Right to Match option for players like Arshdeep Singh, Sam Curran and Rabada. Jitesh Sharma is another player for whom I would consider using the Right to Match in the auction.”

He chose uncapped Shashank Singh and Harpreet Brar as the probable retentions for Punjab, and his list of six players would be complete. Shashank was the top scorer for the franchise last season with 354 runs, at a strike rate of 164.65, along with two half-centuries. His partner Harpreet took seven wickets in 13 matches.

Former Australian batsman said, "In terms of uncapped players, he said that there a couple of good players whom he wants to bring into the team prior to the auction. Shashank Singh, who is an excellent middle-order power hitter, while another one is Harpreet Brar, who is a left-arm spinner." Punjab Kings finished as second from last in the 2024 edition. They came out victorious in five matches out of and lost nine. They go into the player auction in the hope of making changes in their team lineup ahead of the upcoming edition of the IPL.