"They will have to release just 1 player" - Aakash Chopra on Punjab Kings' potential releases after IPL 2025

Former India player Aakash Chopra has opined that the Punjab Kings (PBKS) don't need to make too many personnel changes for the next year after their impressive run in IPL 2025. He noted that Glenn Maxwell might be the only player PBKS should certainly release ahead of the auction.

The Punjab Kings finished atop the IPL 2025 points table after the league phase. However, they couldn't end their trophy drought, losing to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by six runs in the final in Ahmedabad on June 3.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener noted that PBKS' batting lineup impressed in IPL 2025, with Maxwell potentially being the only player they might want to release.

"The Punjab Kings played extremely well, but can they change anything for next year? There is not much scope or need for change. The top six batters look good. They will come more matured next year, whether it's Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Nehal Wadhera or Shashank Singh," Chopra said (16:00).

"They will all get better with age and experience. Shreyas Iyer and Josh Inglis are, of course, phenomenal. They will have to release just one player, and that's Glenn Maxwell, but that will make only ₹4.20 crore available," he added.

Glenn Maxwell aggregated 48 runs at a dismal average of 8.00 in six innings in IPL 2025. He picked up four wickets at a reasonable economy rate of 8.46 in 13 overs.

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"Use Marcus Stoinis better next year" - Aakash Chopra on Punjab Kings not utilizing the all-rounder effectively in IPL 2025

Marcus Stoinis smashed 160 runs at a strike rate of 186.04 in 11 innings in IPL 2025. [P./C: Getty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra urged the Punjab Kings to utilize Marcus Stoinis better with the bat next season.

"They can do one thing for sure. Use Marcus Stoinis better next year because you didn't utilize his experience fully as a batter, which I feel could have been done. If you have put more than ₹10 crore somewhere, you want to utilize him better," he said (16:30).

While observing that PBKS might look to bolster their bowling department at the auction, the cricketer-turned-commentator named Xavier Bartlett as a potential release.

"If you get one, take an extra spinner. It could be an Indian. You might want to strengthen your overseas fast-bowling department a little bit. However, if Lockie Ferguson gets fit, he will remain an important aspect of this team. Xavier Bartlett didn't have that big an impact. If you want, you can release him and bring in someone else," Chopra elaborated.

The Punjab Kings bought Xavier Bartlett for ₹80 lakh at the IPL 2025 auction. The Australian seamer picked up two wickets at an economy rate of 9.60 in four innings in the recently concluded season.