5 PBKS players who could be released before IPL 2027

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) would look back at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 in two halves. They started their campaign with six victories out of the first seven encounters, including a no-result at the Eden Gardens against the Kolkata Knight Riders. Just when it felt like they would repeat the same purple show from 2025, they faced a massive slump.

The Shreyas Iyer-led side went on to face six consecutive defeats in the group stage of the competition, as questions started to arise on their potential opportunity of qualifying for the Playoffs of the event. And as it turned out, the other franchises showed better performance.

Despite the win to end their campaign against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Punjab failed to qualify for the Playoffs, finishing at the fifth position with seven wins in 14 clashes at a net run rate of +0.309.

A final-bound squad, tough calls ahead — Which 5 PBKS stars could be axed for IPL 2027?

Punjab made some schoolboy errors towards the second half of the season as they conceded 200 runs on most occasions in IPL 2026. On paper, they had a strong squad, but on the field, their key players underperformed, which may now see some tough calls being taken by the PBKS management.

Here are the five players PBKS may look to release ahead of the IPL 2027 mini-auction-

#1 Marcus Stoinis- 216 runs & 02 wickets in 2026-

Marcus Stoinis could be among the players to be released by the Punjab side. The all-rounder didn’t have a great season with both bat and ball, besides being dropped in the middle of the competition. He picked up only two wickets in four innings at an average of 49 and smashed just 205 runs at an average of 22.77 and a strike rate of 137.58.

The franchise can free up INR 11 crore by releasing the Australian all-rounder, and they can also use the same money to strengthen other weak areas during the mini-auction.

Few new overseas players will be available in the auction, and as it has been the general case in mini-auctions, players go at a high price, and that could also be the case with Punjab by using the money if they release Stoinis.

#2 Nehal Wadhera- 65 runs at 10.83 in 2026

The former player of the Mumbai Indians, Nehal Wadhera, was expected to strengthen the batting line-up of the Punjab side as he did in 2025 with 369 runs in 15 innings at an average of 30.75 and a strike rate of 145.84. He failed terribly in 2026 with only 65 runs in six innings at an average of 10.83 and a strike rate of 114.03.

Wadhera was a key member, and if Punjab want, they may look to buy back the left-handed batter at a small price. In his absence, they will get INR 4.20 crore. The management can also look out for a proven performer to handle their middle order.

#3 Lockie Ferguson- 01 wicket in three innings

The head coach of the Punjab Kings, Ricky Ponting, praised the pace of Lockie Ferguson a lot ahead of the IPL season. But the pacer hasn’t been able to turn up in full swing. In the last season, he played just four games and picked up five wickets at an average of 20.80.

In 2026, his form went down so much, and questions were raised over his fitness. Ferguson missed the first few games due to personal reasons, and once he returned, he could play three games and picked up only one wicket at an average of 141 and an economy rate of nearly 13.

Leaving him out will add INR 2 crore to the purse of the Punjab franchise ahead of the IPL 2027 mini auction.

#4 Shashank Singh- 132 runs in 2026

If dropping or releasing a player from a squad before the auction is based on fielding performance, Shashank Singh would have been dropped in the middle of the IPL 2026 by the Punjab side. He dropped several key catches in the campaign, which cost them at times.

Shashank showed incredible promise with the bat during the last two seasons with a 350+ run-tally in both editions. But he failed to get the same success in 2026 with only 132 runs in nine innings at an average of 22, with just one fifty to his name.

Releasing him will give PBKS INR 5.50 crore, which they may use to buy the batter back at a lower price or go for some other options in the team.

#5 Ben Dwarshuis- 01 wicket in 2026

Releasing the left-arm pacer of the Punjab Kings, Ben Dwarshuis, ahead of the 2027 season of the event will add up INR 4.40 crore to the purse. They could not use the bowler much, but in that one game against the Mumbai Indians, he looked quite raw and not IPL-ready.

Ben picked up only one wicket in his four-over spell, giving away 51 runs. There will be better options available in the mini-auction, and Punjab may look to add some experience in the bowling set-up by signing those players.