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News India Live, Digital Desk: Before the mini auction of IPL 2026, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) team has taken some big and bold decisions. Like every year, this time too the team management has decided to make major changes in their squad and they have started it by releasing some of their most expensive and big players. Today, in the list released by Punjab Kings on the last date of retention (15th November), the most surprising name is that of Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell.
Not only Maxwell, Punjab has also decided to release his compatriot and Big Bash League (BBL) star all-rounder Aaron Hardy. Apart from these two, another Australian player has been shown the way out of the team.
Why was Maxwell fired?
Glenn Maxwell was bought by Punjab Kings in the 2024 auction for a huge price of Rs 11.50 crore. He is one of the most experienced players of the team, but his performance in the last two seasons has not been as per his price. Maxwell certainly played some good innings with the bat, but he lacked consistency. At the same time, he could not do anything special in bowling also. The team management might have decided to release him considering his expensive price tag and performance so that he can command a huge amount in the auction.
BBL hero zero in IPL
Aaron Hardy was bought by Punjab for Rs 4.80 crore in view of his excellent all-round performance in the Big Bash League last year. While playing for Perth Scorchers in BBL, Hardy created a stir with both bat and ball. But under the pressure of IPL, he could not repeat that performance. Whatever opportunities he got, he failed to take advantage of them. That is why the team has released him for the next season.
The blame fell on these players too
Apart from these two big names, Punjab Kings have also released Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza. Raza had performed well in some matches, but he was not able to fit into the team combination.
Retained players of Punjab Kings
Punjab Kings have expressed confidence in their captain Shikhar Dhawan and young wicketkeeper-batsman Prabhsimran Singh. Apart from this, the team has retained most of the players from its core group, which includes big names like Arshdeep Singh, Jonny Bairstow, Kagiso Rabada and Rahul Chahar.
Now Punjab Kings will be eyeing the mini auction to be held on December 16, where they will try to include some new and effective players in their team with the money left after releasing Maxwell and Hardy.