Punjab Kings (PBKS) Confirmed Released Players List for IPL 2027

The IPL 2026 season was a roller-coaster ride of emotions for the Punjab Kings (PBKS). Led by Shreyas Iyer, the team showed immense promise initially, remaining unbeaten in their first seven matches (with six wins and one abandoned match due to rain). At that point, they looked like strong contenders for the title. However, the campaign derailed spectacularly in the second half. A devastating six-match losing streak punctured their playoffs hope.

Despite a consolation win in their final match against LSG, the Kings finished fifth on the points table with 15 points. This dramatic collapse has forced the PBKS team management to rethink their strategy. Ahead of the mini-auction or mega-auction for IPL 2027, the franchise are expected to make substantial changes to their squad.

Here is an in-depth analysis of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) probable retained and released players list for IPL 2027, including squad restructuring and auction purse implications.

PBKS Campaign Review: The Unraveling of a Promising Season

To understand the release strategy for the IPL 2027 season, it is crucial to analyze how Punjab Kings’ campaign fell apart in 2026. Under the guidance of Shreyas Iyer, PBKS started with unmatched consistency. Their batting unit was clicking, and the bowlers were executing their plans. But the momentum shifted after they lost by 6 wickets to the Rajasthan Royals in their eighth game.

A series of tactical errors, combined with the loss of form of key international stars, resulted in six consecutive defeats. While finishing 5th is respectable, the management knows that a team with championship aspirations cannot afford such inconsistent streaks. To build a more balanced squad for IPL 2027, several high-priced players are likely to be released into the auction pool to free up purse space.

Stat Metric	IPL 2026 Numbers
Matches Played	14
Wins	7
Losses	6
No Result (NR)	1 (vs KKR due to rain)
Points	15
Final Position	5th

High-Profile Players PBKS is Likely to Release

To acquire match-winners in the next auction, PBKS needs to clean up their purse. Several expensive acquisitions underperformed during the 2026 season and are primary candidates for release.

1. Arshdeep Singh (INR 18 Crore)

The performance of Arshdeep Singh in IPL 2026 is a worry for PBKS and also for him as well. In 14 matches played, Arshdeep Singh took only 14 wickets, and more importantly, he got no wickets in his opening few matches. Punjab Kings can get some young talented fast bowler in place of him. If he continues this form in international cricket as well, PBKS can also buy him back for a lesser amount.

2. Yuzvendra Chahal (INR 18 Crore)

Yuzvendra Chahal is undeniably a legend in the Indian Premier League, holding the record for the most wickets in the tournament’s history. However, at a staggering price tag of ₹18.00 crore, the leg-spinner’s recent performance does not justify the massive chunk of the budget he occupies. Over the last two seasons, Chahal’s wicket-taking capability has dipped while his economy rate has climbed. In the 2026 season, he managed only 12 wickets in 14 games at an economy of 9.39. Batters are playing him with greater caution and ease, making his ₹18.00 crore price tag the first target for the management to free up massive auction funds.

3. Marcus Stoinis (INR 11 Crore)

The Australian powerhouse Marcus Stoinis was bought to provide explosive finishes and handy medium-pace overs. Unfortunately, Stoinis struggled to perform as a reliable all-rounder in IPL 2026. In 13 matches, he scored 216 runs. While his strike rate was impressive at 180, he was highly inconsistent, failing to play match-winning knocks when the top order collapsed. More disappointingly, his bowling utility was virtually non-existent: he bowled limited overs, taking just 2 wickets while leaking runs at an economy of 12.51. For an INR 11 Crore player, PBKS expects a much higher all-round return, making him highly likely to be released.

4. Ben Dwarshuis (₹4.40 Crore) & Lockie Ferguson

The overseas pace department failed to support Arshdeep Singh consistently. Lockie Ferguson, the express Kiwi pacer, struggled with injuries and form, playing just 4 matches and taking 1 wicket at an expensive economy rate of 12.81. Meanwhile, Australian left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis (valued at ₹4.40 crore) also failed to establish himself in the starting XI. Releasing Dwarshuis and Ferguson will allow PBKS to search for more reliable death-bowling options in the international market.

5. Nehal Wadhera (₹4.20 Crore)

Nehal Wadhera entered the squad with high expectations as a talented young domestic batter. However, he had a forgettable IPL 2026 campaign. Wadhera received 6 innings but could only muster 65 runs at a subpar strike rate of 114. Given his price tag of ₹4.20 crore, the franchise cannot afford to bench such an expensive asset. By releasing Wadhera, the Kings can reclaim ₹4.20 crore to invest in other emerging domestic talents or middle-order anchors.

6. Mitchell Owen (INR 3 Crore) & Vishnu Vinod (₹95 Lakh)

All-rounder Mitchell Owen (INR 3 crore) and wicketkeeper-batsman Vishnu Vinod (₹95 lakh) are also expected to make way. Vinod played just one match in the 2026 season, scoring 15*. With Prabhsimran Singh firmly established as the primary wicketkeeper-batsman, Vinod is surplus to requirements. Similarly, Owen did not get enough opportunities to justify his 3 crore price tag, and the management will look to reinvest this capital.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) Retained Players List

Despite the second-half collapse, PBKS has a highly competitive core that they will look to retain to maintain stability. The core consists of local Indian stars who have performed exceptionally well, alongside crucial international assets:

• Shreyas Iyer (Captain)
• Prabhsimran Singh (WK)
• Shashank Singh
• Marco Jansen
• Xavier Bartlett
• Harnoor Pannu
• Pyla Avinash
• Vishal Nishad
• Vijaykumar Vyshak
• Azmatullah Omarzai
• Yash Thakur
• Harpreet Brar
• Cooper Connolly

PBKS Probable Retained & Released Players

The table below summarises the expected player movements for the Punjab Kings ahead of the IPL 2027 auction, outlining their purchase price and status:

Player Name	Role	Price (INR)	Expected Status
Arshdeep Singh	Bowler	INR 18.00 Crore	Released
Marcus Stoinis	All-Rounder	INR 11.00 Crore	Released
Yuzvendra Chahal	Bowler	INR 18.00 Crore	Released
Ben Dwarshuis	Bowler	INR 4.40 Crore	Released
Mitchell Owen	All-Rounder	INR 3.00 Crore	Released
Nehal Wadhera	Batsman	INR 4.20 Crore	Released
Vishnu Vinod	Wicketkeeper-Batsman	INR 0.95 Crore	Released
Shreyas Iyer	Batsman (Captain)	Retained Core	Retained
Prabhsimran Singh	Wicketkeeper-Batsman	Retained Core	Retained
Priyansh Arya	Batsman	Retained Core	Retained
Shashank Singh	Batsman	Retained Core	Retained
Marco Jansen	All-Rounder	Retained Core	Retained

Purse Value and Auction Strategy for IPL 2027

By releasing these seven underperforming or overpriced players, Punjab Kings will reclaim a massive chunk of their budget. The total purse value recovered from these releases stands at ₹59.55 crore. This is a substantial war chest that will allow the team management to be highly aggressive in the IPL 2027 auction.

With ₹59.55 crore back in the bank, PBKS will likely target the following:

• A premium overseas fast bowler to replace Arshdeep Singh or buy him back.
• An impact middle-order spin option to replace Chahal at a more reasonable price point.
• A reliable finisher to take the pressure off Shashank Singh and Marco Jansen.

By restructuring their squad and reinvesting their funds wisely, the Punjab Kings can address the depth issues that plagued their 2026 campaign. For the official player statistics and historical auction records, fans can check the database on the IPL T20 Official Portal.