Punjab Kings are heading into the IPL 2027 mini-auction with several important squad decisions to make. After building a strong team around Shreyas Iyer, the franchise has already made a major change by trading Hardik Pandya from Mumbai Indians in exchange for Arshdeep Singh.
The next big question is which players Punjab Kings will retain and release before the auction. With a full 25-player squad and limited remaining funds, PBKS may need to release some players to create space for new signings.
The official retention list is expected on November 17, 2026. Until then, the following is a predicted list based on the 2026 squad, reported player salaries and team balance.
Predicted PBKS retained players for IPL 2027
Punjab Kings are expected to retain most of their established players while making a few changes to their overseas and bowling combinations.
Shreyas Iyer is likely to remain the team’s key player and captain. Hardik Pandya’s arrival also gives the franchise an experienced Indian all-rounder.
PBKS predicted retained players list
| No. | Player | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shreyas Iyer | Batter | Predicted retention |
| 2 | Hardik Pandya | All-rounder | Incoming trade |
| 3 | Prabhsimran Singh | Wicketkeeper-Batter | Predicted retention |
| 4 | Priyansh Arya | Batter | Predicted retention |
| 5 | Shashank Singh | Batter | Predicted retention |
| 6 | Nehal Wadhera | Batter | Predicted retention |
| 7 | Musheer Khan | All-rounder | Predicted retention |
| 8 | Harpreet Brar | All-rounder | Predicted retention |
| 9 | Suryansh Shedge | All-rounder | Predicted retention |
| 10 | Cooper Connolly | All-rounder | Predicted retention |
| 11 | Azmatullah Omarzai | All-rounder | Predicted retention |
| 12 | Marco Jansen | All-rounder | Predicted retention |
| 13 | Marcus Stoinis | All-rounder | Predicted retention |
| 14 | Mitchell Owen | All-rounder | Predicted retention |
| 15 | Ben Dwarshuis | All-rounder | Predicted retention |
| 16 | Vijaykumar Vyshak | Bowler | Predicted retention |
| 17 | Xavier Bartlett | Bowler | Predicted retention |
| 18 | Yash Thakur | Bowler | Predicted retention |
These are predictions, not an official PBKS retention announcement. Yuzvendra Chahal’s position remains uncertain.
Why could these players be retained?
- Shreyas Iyer: His leadership and batting make him an important part of Punjab’s plans.
- Hardik Pandya: His arrival adds an experienced Indian all-rounder who can contribute in both departments.
- Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya: Both provide attacking options at the top of the order.
- Shashank Singh and Nehal Wadhera: They offer middle-order batting depth.
- Marco Jansen and Marcus Stoinis: Their all-round abilities provide overseas balance.
- Cooper Connolly and Azmatullah Omarzai: They offer additional batting and bowling options.
PBKS released players ahead of the IPL 2027 mini-auction
Punjab Kings have a 25-player squad, so releasing players could be important to create vacancies and increase their auction budget.
The management may look at players who have not secured regular opportunities or whose salaries do not match their expected roles.
Predicted and confirmed PBKS released players for IPL 2027
| No. | Player | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arshdeep Singh | Fast Bowler | Confirmed trade to MI |
| 2 | Yuzvendra Chahal | Spinner | Possible release |
| 3 | Lockie Ferguson | Fast Bowler | Predicted release |
| 4 | Praveen Dubey | Spinner | Predicted release |
| 5 | Harnoor Singh Pannu | Batter | Predicted release |
| 6 | Pyla Avinash | Batter | Predicted release |
| 7 | Vishal Nishad | Bowler | Predicted release |
| 8 | Vishnu Vinod | Wicketkeeper-Batter | Predicted release |
Important: Arshdeep Singh’s departure is through the reported trade with Mumbai Indians, not a standard release. Yuzvendra Chahal is a major retention uncertainty because of his 18 crore salary. The other names are predictions and have not been officially released.
Why could PBKS release these players?
Yuzvendra Chahal: His 18 crore salary makes him one of the biggest retention decisions. Releasing him could give Punjab substantial additional purse money, although replacing his experience would be difficult.
Lockie Ferguson: Punjab could consider a change in its overseas fast-bowling options and use the money for another bowling combination.
Praveen Dubey: The franchise may consider other spin options if it wants to strengthen its bowling attack.
Harnoor Singh and Pyla Avinash: Punjab could look for more established domestic batting options at the auction.
Vishal Nishad and Vishnu Vinod: Their future could depend on the team’s requirements for bowling and wicketkeeping depth.
PBKS’s remaining purse for the IPL 2027 mini-auction
Punjab Kings entered the IPL 2026 auction with a remaining purse of 11.5 crore after retentions. They spent 8 crore on four players and finished with 3.5 crore.
For IPL 2027, the reported auction purse budget has increased by 5 crore, taking the working budget to 130 crore.
The Hardik Pandya-Arshdeep Singh trade is a straight exchange at their reported existing 18 crore fees. Therefore, it does not create an additional net purse saving.
PBKS estimated purse calculation
| Particulars | Amount |
|---|---|
| Remaining purse after IPL 2026 auction | 3.50 crore |
| Reported increase in auction budget | +5 crore |
| Hardik Pandya incoming trade | -18 crore |
| Arshdeep Singh outgoing trade | +18 crore |
| Estimated purse before releases | 8.50 crore |
How much purse could PBKS gain by releasing players?
Yuzvendra Chahal is the biggest financial decision for Punjab Kings. His reported 18 crore salary could significantly increase the franchise’s available auction funds if he is released.
Other releases would also add to the purse depending on their existing contract values.
For example:
| Player | Reported Salary |
|---|---|
| Yuzvendra Chahal | 18 crore |
| Lockie Ferguson | 2 crore |
| Praveen Dubey | 30 lakh |
| Harnoor Singh Pannu | 30 lakh |
| Pyla Avinash | 30 lakh |
| Vishal Nishad | 30 lakh |
| Vishnu Vinod | 95 lakh |
The above figures are based on reported IPL 2026 contract values. Actual 2027 purse calculations will depend on the final retention, release and trade list.
PBKS’s available slots for the IPL 2027 mini-auction
Punjab Kings had a full 25-player squad after the IPL 2026 auction, including 17 Indian players and eight overseas players.
The Hardik Pandya-Arshdeep Singh trade is a one-for-one exchange between Indian players. Therefore, it does not change the total squad size or overseas-player count.
PBKS squad composition before releases
| Squad Details | Number |
|---|---|
| Total players | 25 |
| Indian players | 17 |
| Overseas players | 8 |
| Maximum squad size | 25 |
| Maximum overseas players | 8 |
| Available slots before releases | 0 |
Punjab Kings cannot add another player at the mini-auction without first creating a vacancy.
How many players could PBKS buy after predicted releases?
If Punjab releases all six players in the main predicted release list, excluding the separately uncertain Chahal decision, the squad could look like this:
| Particulars | Number |
|---|---|
| Current squad size | 25 |
| Predicted releases | 6 |
| Players remaining | 19 |
| Maximum squad size | 25 |
| Potential available slots | 6 |
If Lockie Ferguson is released as predicted, the overseas count would also fall from eight to seven. Punjab could then use up to six available places, but no more than one of those places could be filled by an overseas player unless another overseas player is released.
If Chahal is also released, Punjab would have additional purse money, but the number of vacancies would increase to seven.
Which players should Punjab Kings target in the IPL 2027 mini-auction?
Punjab’s squad already has several batting and all-rounder options. Its auction strategy could focus on strengthening the bowling attack and adding reliable backup players.
Three areas could be important:
- Indian fast bowler: An experienced Indian pacer could provide support in the powerplay and death overs.
- Death-over specialist: Punjab may look for a bowler who can execute yorkers and variations under pressure.
- Middle-order backup: Another dependable batter could provide cover and improve the team’s flexibility.
The franchise will also need to manage its overseas combination carefully, particularly if it releases any of its overseas all-rounders or fast bowlers.
When will PBKS announce its IPL 2027 retained and released players?
The retention deadline for IPL 2027 is November 17, 2026. Punjab Kings and the other franchises are expected to submit their final lists by that date.
The mini-auction is reportedly scheduled for December 16, 2026, in Goa.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| IPL 2027 retention deadline | November 17, 2026 |
| IPL 2027 mini-auction | December 16, 2026 |
| Auction venue | Goa |
The official retention announcement will confirm which predicted players remain with Punjab Kings and which names enter the auction pool.
PBKS IPL 2027 Squad Strategy
Punjab Kings do not need a complete squad rebuild. Their main priority should be maintaining the Indian batting core while improving their bowling options.
Hardik Pandya’s arrival gives the team another experienced all-rounder, but Arshdeep Singh’s departure creates a major gap in the pace attack.
The biggest decision could be Yuzvendra Chahal’s retention because his salary has a significant impact on the available purse.
Punjab could enter the mini-auction with more flexibility if it releases players who are not central to its plans. However, the final strategy will become clear only after the official retention list is announced.
FAQs: PBKS Retained and Released Players IPL 2027
Has Punjab Kings announced its IPL 2027 retained players list?
No. The official PBKS retention list is yet to be announced. The deadline is November 17, 2026.
Who is the confirmed player traded out by PBKS for IPL 2027?
Arshdeep Singh is moving from Punjab Kings to Mumbai Indians in the reported trade involving Hardik Pandya.
Who will join Punjab Kings for IPL 2027?
Hardik Pandya is joining Punjab Kings from Mumbai Indians in the player exchange.
