File photo of Punjab Kings© BCCI
Former Australia cricketer Tom Moody believes that Punjab Kings should not retain any capped players ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. While there have been reports of PBKS considering Arshdeep Singh as their only retention, Moody believes that the franchise should look to use the right-to-match option for cricketers like Arshdeep, Sam Curran and Kagiso Rabada. The IPL-winning coach added that young wicket-keeper batter Jitesh Sharma can also be a big option when it comes to using the RTM card.
When it comes to uncapped players, Moody picked all-rounder Harpreet Brar and explosive batter Shashank Singh as the prime contenders. However, according to media reports, there is a chance that Shashank may opt to put his name in the auction in order to attract a better price.
“For Punjab Kings, I don't think I would retain any players, certainly not capped players, but I'd be looking to use the right-to-match option for players like Arshdeep Singh, Sam Curran, and Rabada. Jitesh Sharma is another one I'd consider using the right-to-match for in the auction. When it comes to uncapped players, there are a couple of good players I'd like to secure before the auction: Shashank Singh, who is a solid middle-order power hitter and had a great season last year, and Harpreet Brar, the left-arm spinner," Moody told Star Sports.
Meanwhile, with the IPL 2025 mega auction retention deadline coming on October 31, it's the time where all ten teams will be firming up their retention plans. Kolkata Knight Riders, the IPL 2024 winners, are also in the process of finalizing their retention list.
But sources have told IANS that the retention status of their title-winning captain Shreyas Iyer is lining on unsure currently, as other players like West Indies duo of Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, along with middle-order batter Rinku Singh, wrist-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy and uncapped fast-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana, who recently got a call-up for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, are ahead in contention of being retained by the franchise.
While Narine and Russell were at their all-round best as the franchise's stalwarts, Chakravarthy was a key figure in the spin-bowling department, picking up 21 wickets at an economy rate of 8.04. Those performances paved his way for being back into the Indian team for the T20Is against Bangladesh this month and is selected for next month's South Africa series.
(With IANS inputs)