Punjab Kings Probable XI for IPL 2025 & 13 Players Benched

Introduction

Punjab Kings (PBKS) are gearing up for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season with a revamped squad, hoping to make a strong title challenge. The franchise has made bold decisions, including appointing Shreyas Iyer as captain and bringing in key players to strengthen their squad. However, with a deep talent pool, PBKS will have to bench as many as 13 players throughout the season.

Punjab Kings Probable Playing XI for IPL 2025

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— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) March 14, 2025

Openers:

• Josh Inglis (WK) – A destructive wicketkeeper-batsman who provides aggressive starts.
• Prabhsimran Singh – An explosive young batter with a fearless approach.

Middle Order:

• Shreyas Iyer (C) – The new captain and a reliable top-order batsman.
• Glenn Maxwell – A dynamic all-rounder known for his power-hitting and off-spin.
• Marcus Stoinis – A dependable middle-order batsman who can also bowl crucial overs.
• Shashank Singh – A hard-hitting finisher capable of accelerating in the death overs.
• Nihal Wadhera – A young batting talent who adds depth to the middle order.

Bowlers:

• Marco Jansen – A left-arm fast bowler who provides bounce and swing, while also contributing with the bat.
• Yuzvendra Chahal – A seasoned leg-spinner who is expected to control the middle overs.
• Arshdeep Singh – PBKS’s premier pacer, known for his death bowling skills.
• Harpreet Brar – A left-arm spinner who offers control and wicket-taking ability.

Impact Player:

Yash Thakur – A young pace bowler who could be brought in as an extra bowling option when needed.

Players Likely to Be Benched

Due to the squad's depth, the following players may not feature regularly in the playing XI:

• Vishnu Vinod
• Aaron Hardie
• Azmatullah Omarzai
• Xavier Bartlett
• Kuldeep Sen
• Vyshak Vijaykumar
• Yash Thakur (if not used as an Impact Player)
• Praveen Dubey
• Pyla Avinash
• Suryansh Shedge
• Musheer Khan
• Harnoor Pannu
• Priyansh Arya

Strengths and Challenges for PBKS in IPL 2025

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— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) March 19, 2025

Strengths:

• Explosive Batting Lineup: With Inglis, Maxwell, Stoinis, and Iyer, PBKS have a powerful batting core.
• Balanced Bowling Attack: Arshdeep, Jansen, and Chahal form a strong bowling trio.
• All-Rounder Depth: Maxwell, Stoinis, and Jansen provide multiple bowling and batting options.

Challenges:

• Team Combination Issues: With so many talented players, PBKS must find the right balance.
• Dependence on Key Players: If Iyer, Maxwell, or Arshdeep underperform, the team could struggle.
• Bowling Under Pressure: While Arshdeep is a reliable death bowler, PBKS needs other bowlers to step up in crunch moments.

Conclusion

Punjab Kings have assembled a formidable squad for IPL 2025. Their probable XI looks strong on paper, with a mix of experienced players and young talent. However, the team management will have tough calls to make regarding benching certain players. If PBKS can optimize their playing XI and maintain form throughout the tournament, they could be serious contenders for their maiden IPL title.

Also Read: IPL 2025 KKR vs RCB: Probable XI & AI Prediction

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