IPL 2027 Punjab Kings Best Retained Players List: Will Shreyas Iyer Stay?
With 20 players in contention, discover the Punjab Kings (PBKS) best retained squad and released players list for IPL 2027.
Imagine winning six of your first seven matches, only to lose six of the next seven and miss out on the IPL playoffs. That perfectly sums up the heartbreak of Punjab Kings’ IPL 2026 campaign. For years, PBKS have been associated with missed opportunities, but this season’s collapse was particularly painful given the team’s exceptional start. After looking like one of the strongest contenders during the first half of the tournament, a dramatic loss of momentum in the latter stages ultimately derailed their playoff hopes.
However, not everything was disappointing for the Punjab Kings. Over the last two seasons, the franchise has undergone a significant transformation, building a more balanced squad and fostering a strong team culture. While the playoff dream may have slipped away, the progress made in creating a united and competitive environment is something PBKS can take immense pride in. More importantly, they now appear to have a solid core capable of consistently challenging in future IPL seasons.
But what lies ahead for Punjab Kings in IPL 2027? Could Shreyas Iyer be involved in a blockbuster trade with the Mumbai Indians amid growing speculation surrounding MI’s interest in the star batter? Will PBKS continue to back the core that has driven their recent resurgence, or could a few tough squad decisions be on the horizon? In this article, we analyze the current Punjab Kings squad and predict the most likely retained and released players ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027.
Will Shreyas Iyer continue with Punjab Kings?
Firstly, let’s address the elephant in the room: Will Shreyas Iyer continue with Punjab Kings, or could he be traded to the Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2027?
While trade rumours have gained traction on social media, there appears to be very little logic behind Punjab Kings parting ways with their captain. Ever since Iyer joined the franchise, PBKS have undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from perennial underachievers into genuine title contenders. His leadership played a crucial role in guiding the team to the IPL 2025 final, while Punjab also remained firmly in playoff contention throughout IPL 2026.
More importantly, Punjab Kings have finally found stability in both their leadership group and team culture – something the franchise lacked for several years. Replacing a proven captain who has already delivered tangible results would make little cricketing sense. Unless an extraordinary trade opportunity presents itself, the speculation surrounding a move to the Mumbai Indians appears largely unfounded. Therefore, Shreyas Iyer is an automatic retention and is expected to lead the Punjab Kings in IPL 2027.
The second major question revolves around Punjab Kings’ impressive uncapped core, featuring Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Suryansh Shedge, Harpreet Brar, and Vijaykumar Vyshak. While these players may technically fall into the uncapped category, their performances over the last couple of seasons have elevated them well beyond that tag.
In fact, this group forms the foundation of Punjab Kings’ recent resurgence. From explosive top-order batting to dependable finishing and valuable domestic bowling options, each of these players has played a crucial role in strengthening the squad. As a result, PBKS are highly likely to retain the majority, if not all, of this uncapped core ahead of IPL 2027 Mini Auction.
Which OS Players will PBKS retain?
What about the Punjab Kings’ overseas contingent? Will PBKS continue to back players like Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Lockie Ferguson, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Mitchell Owen, Cooper Connolly, and Ben Dwarshuis heading into IPL 2027?
The answer is largely yes. With the exception of Ben Dwarshuis and Mitchell Owen, who barely featured during the season, most of Punjab’s overseas players made valuable contributions whenever given opportunities. Marco Jansen established himself as one of the team’s most important all-round assets, while Azmatullah Omarzai, Marcus Stoinis, and Lockie Ferguson added experience and balance to the squad. Cooper Connolly and Xavier Bartlett also showed enough promise to remain part of PBKS’ long-term plans.
As a result, the Punjab Kings are likely to retain the majority of their overseas core. However, Ben Dwarshuis appears vulnerable to release after failing to make a significant impact. PBKS could use the IPL 2027 Mini Auction to strengthen this position by targeting a more dynamic overseas option who better complements the team’s existing squad structure.
IPL 2027 PBKS Released Players Predicted List
- Harnoor Pannu
- Pravin Dubey
- Vishal Nishad
- Vishnu Vinod
- Ben Dwarshuis (OS)
As for the players most likely to be released, the list is relatively small. Punjab Kings could part ways with a few fringe players, including Harnoor Pannu, Pravin Dubey, Vishal Nishad, and Vishnu Vinod, all of whom remained largely untested during their time with the franchise. Unlike many teams that may opt for significant changes, PBKS appear well-positioned to retain the vast majority of their current squad. The franchise has finally built a balanced team with a strong Indian core, dependable overseas options, and several promising young talents.
As a result, Punjab Kings could retain as many as 20 players and head into the IPL 2027 Mini Auction with only a handful of vacancies to fill. With a healthy purse likely available, PBKS can focus on making a few targeted additions rather than undertaking a major rebuild. This approach would allow the franchise to strengthen specific areas while preserving the core group that has driven its resurgence over the last two seasons.
IPL 2027 Punjab Kings (PBKS) Predicted Retained Players List
Batters
- Mitchell Owen (OS)
- Musheer Khan
- Nehal Wadhera
- Priyansh Arya
- Pyla Avinash
- Shashank Singh
- Shreyas Iyer (c)
Wicket-keepers
- Prabhsimran Singh
All-rounders
- Azmatullah Omarzai (OS)
- Cooper Connolly (OS)
- Harpreet Brar
- Marco Jansen (OS)
- Marcus Stoinis (OS)
- Suryansh Shedge
Bowlers
- Arshdeep Singh
- Lockie Ferguson (OS)
- Vyshak Vijaykumar
- Xavier Bartlett (OS)
- Yash Thakur
- Yuzvendra Chahal
So, that’s our predicted Punjab Kings (PBKS) retained squad and released players list for IPL 2027. Unlike several franchises that may look to make sweeping changes, PBKS appear to have finally found a winning formula built around stability, strong leadership, and a talented mix of experienced and emerging players. With most of their core expected to remain intact, Punjab Kings could retain as many as 20 players and enter the IPL 2027 Mini Auction with the flexibility to add a few exciting new names. Rather than rebuilding from scratch, the franchise is more likely to focus on fine-tuning an already competitive squad.
Most importantly, with Shreyas Iyer expected to continue as captain and a strong core group backing him, the Punjab Kings will once again set their sights on ending their long wait for an IPL title. Whether IPL 2027 finally proves to be their breakthrough season remains to be seen, but PBKS certainly have the foundations in place to challenge for glory.
Thanks for reading! Do you agree with our Punjab Kings retention predictions for IPL 2027? Which players would you retain, and which names would you release ahead of the IPL 2027 Mini Auction? Share your thoughts with us at business@cricalytics.com.
