3 Players who could lead PBKS in IPL 2025 after Shikhar Dhawan

Punjab Kings, IPL 2024. (Source – Getty Images)

Punjab Kings (PBKS) will look to usher in a new era of success after making the finals of the Indian Premier League (IPL) only once in the 17 seasons that have been played so far. That performance came way back in 2014 when George Bailey led the team to a runners-up finish after losing to Kolkata Knight Riders in the summit clash. Under a new captain, the Kings will want to forget the nightmares of the previous seasons and start afresh in IPL 2025.

Punjab announced Mayank Agarwal as their captain after the last mega-auction. The Karnataka batter led the team in IPL 2022 before being replaced by Shikhar Dhawan ahead of the following season. The southpaw was in charge of the Kings in IPL 2023 and 2024. He drew curtains on his illustrious career recently and this call has meant that PBKS will look for a new captain for the upcoming season.

Punjab had the biggest purse remaining in the last edition of the mega-auction ahead of IPL 2022. They are set to enter another mega-auction with the highest purse after only retaining two uncapped players – Shashank Singh (INR 5.50 crore) and Prabhsimran Singh (INR 4 crore). Punjab Kings have a whopping remaining purse of INR 110.50 crore as they look to revamp their squad.

Apart from picking players to form their team, Punjab will also need to rope in a captain. They are one of the five teams who will be looking to find a captain at the mega-auction. However, no team can match their remaining purse and the Kings can get whoever they want as their captain.

Also Check: 5 Players you didn’t know once played for PBKS

Here’s a look at three players who could lead Punjab Kings in IPL 2025:

3. Aiden Markram

Aiden Markram. (Source – Getty Images)

Aiden Markram did not have a great stint as the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2023. The Orange Army finished last in the points table, managing to win just four and losing 10 out of the 14 matches they played. However, Markram has only grown as a captain since then.

The right-handed batter has led Sunrisers Eastern Cape to consecutive SA20 titles in 2023 and 2024. He also became the first captain to lead the Proteas into the finals of a World Cup. This feat was achieved by him when South Africa finished runners-up in the T20 World Cup 2024 in June. Markram is a top-order batter and can also chip in with useful overs with the ball. He might not go for a huge amount and that could give Punjab the option to rope in some of the biggest names with their remaining purse.

2. Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant. (Source -Twitter/X)

Rishabh Pant ended his association with Delhi Capitals after being a part of the franchise since IPL 2016. He led the team in IPL 2021, 2022, and 2024. The flamboyant wicketkeeper-batter is going to be one of the hottest properties at the auction as several franchises might be in line to acquire his services.

Pant led the Capitals in 43 matches and the Delhi-based franchise emerged victorious on 23 occasions. Meanwhile, the Capitals suffered 19 defeats under Pant’s leadership. The 27-year-old has a win percentage of 53.49 as captain in the IPL. He has played 111 games in the cash-rich league and cored 3,284 runs at an average of 35.31 and a strike rate of 148.93, including 18 half-centuries and one ton. The Haridwar-born has age on his side and can build his legacy during his time at the franchise.

1. Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

Shreyas Iyer could be another sought-after player in the auction after leading Kolkata Knight Riders to the title in IPL 2024. The Mumbai batter impressed experts as well as fans with his captaincy acumen and man-management skills. Punjab Kings need a strong character at the helm and a right-handed batter could just be the perfect choice. Shreyas might have his shortcomings with the bat as his issues against short-pitched bowling are well-known. However, he is one of the better players of spin in the country.

The 29-year-old has played 115 IPL games and scored 3,127 runs at an average of 32.24 and a strike rate of 127.48. Apart from the Knights, Shreyas has also led Delhi Capitals. The Capitals made it to the finals of the IPL under his leadership in IPL 2020. Shreyas has won 38 and lost 29 out of the 70 matches as a captain in the IPL, having a win percentage of 54.29.