IPL 2023: 5 Players Punjab Kings might release ahead of mini-auction

Punjab Kings (PBKS) assembled a formidable side at the mega auction 2022 comprising many proven performers of the T20 circuit. Under the leadership of Mayank Agarwal, PBKS had the goods to go all the way in the 15th edition of the tournament. However, inconsistency plagued them as they failed to string back-to-back wins under their belt, and as a result, they could not qualify for the playoffs. 

After the disappointing campaign, the Punjab franchise has been quite active in making changes with the next season in sight. They have appointed Trevor Bayliss as their new head coach and one could expect them to make some personnel changes in their squad too as they aim to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Let us look at the players who might not fit into the scheme of things going ahead for them and can be released ahead of the upcoming auction.

5. Baltej Singh Dhanda

Baltej Singh Dhanda has been a consistent performer in the domestic circuit. He has bagged 55 wickets in just 18 First Class matches and when it comes to the shortest format, the right-arm pacer has picked up 39 wickets in 31 games at an economy of 7.34.

Punjab Kings roped in the 31-year-old for the 2022 season and it was a golden chance for him to show his skills at arguably the grandest T20 league in the world. However, PBKS selected Sandeep Sharma and Vaibhav Arora ahead of the Punjab pacer and Baltej failed to break into the Playing XI.

Sandeep Sharma brings a lot of experience to the side while Vaibhav has been a top-form with the ball of late. So, there is a high chance the team management will put their faith in the duo for the next season as well. Thus, the PBKS franchise could question whether they will be needing the services of Baltej going ahead and if not, the Punjab pacer might not be in the team's retention list for IPL 2023.