IPL 2025: 3 players PBKS might retain ahead of the mega-auction

1. Jitesh Sharma 

In 2014, Jitesh Sharma made his T20 debut against Uttar Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He made an impact in the shortest form of cricket by smashing a half-century in the first game itself. After playing the limited overs cricket for two seasons, in 2015 Sharma made his first-class debut for Odisha in the Ranji Trophy. 

His performance in the red-ball cricket was not up to mark and he showed that he is a player of the white-ball cricket. Jitesh Sharma ended his Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy career as the third-highest scorer of the tournament with 343 runs and a strike rate of 143.51 including one century and two fifties. 

Mumbai Indians franchise took Sharma for the 2016 Indian Premiere League on the back of his domestic performances but he did not play a single game. He continued to perform well in the domestic limited-overs competition and he got his big break when Punjab Kings picked him for the 2022 IPL at his base price.

His performances for Punjab were noticed and he was retained by his side for the 2023 edition. He received his first call-up for the national side as a replacement for Sanju Samson against Sri Lanka at the beginning of 2023. He showcased his power-hitting skills for Punjab scoring 309 runs in 14 games in the IPL 2023 season and also for the national side as well.