Former cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has suggested that the Punjab Kings (PBKS) could consider releasing Glenn Maxwell ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, with the retention deadline set for November 15. Maxwell endured a disappointing IPL 2025 campaign, scoring just 48 runs in six innings before a fractured finger ruled him out for the season. He was replaced by fellow Australian Mitchell Owen.
Speaking in a YouTube video released on Friday, November 14, Chopra stated that PBKS might benefit from releasing Maxwell and retaining Owen. He explained:
> “Glenn Maxwell can be released because he was at 4.2 crore. In his place, Mitchell Owen had come in at a 3 crore price cap, so you already have money available. If you release Maxwell and keep Mitchell Owen, I will not begrudge it at all. Besides that, I’m thinking who else will be released? Vishnu Vinod? Because he is worth around 1 crore, precisely ₹95 lakh.”
Chopra went on to suggest that Punjab Kings are unlikely to release many other players:
> “The rest, nothing. You can’t leave too many people. So I don’t think there’s much in this team. Aaron Hardie, ₹1.25 crore, they didn’t play him. If they want, they can release him. Azmatullah, I won’t release. I won’t even think about anyone else. Xavier Bartlett had come for only 80 lakh. I don’t think there’s any player they would want to release easily. So that’s it.”
Under Shreyas Iyer’s leadership, Punjab Kings reached only their second IPL final in the 2025 season, where they eventually lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
### Minimal Changes Predicted for Gujarat Titans
In the same video, Aakash Chopra also discussed the Gujarat Titans (GT), noting that the franchise is unlikely to make many releases. He highlighted that the team might consider letting go of players such as Ishant Sharma, Kumar Kushagra, or Jayant Yadav, but are expected to retain most of their core group.
Chopra stated:
> “Now they need someone in the middle order. Let’s assume they need that, unless, of course, you know David Miller is going to come, then maybe make space for him. So release Karim Janat to make room for David Miller. You will still keep Shahrukh Khan with you, Mahipal Lomror with you, Rahul Tewatia with you. You’re not going to change too much. I don’t expect Gujarat to make many changes. And there’s no reason to release Rahul Tewatia.”
He also touched on rumors regarding Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and other teams, adding:
> “Whatever happens with CSK, maybe Washi will come, that was a rumor, let it remain a rumor, because I don’t think it will actually happen. In fast bowling, sometimes you might think about releasing Arshad Khan, but he does enough work, and he’s only 1.3 crore, so you can keep him. If you want to release Ishant Sharma, of course, you can release him. That’s one option. There’s also talk about Kagiso Rabada, but Rabada is expensive, agreed. But who else, like Kagiso Rabada will come in the auction? And if you try to buy him back, it might still cost that much. So from that perspective, you might as well keep him.”
Chopra concluded:
> “So if you want to release someone, maybe Kumar Kushagra at 65 lakh, or Jayant Yadav at 75 lakh, Mahipal Lomror at 1.7 crore, you can try that. But I don’t think this team is going to have many movers and shakers. Gujarat Titans are also unlikely to make many moves, so I don’t think they will release too many players. Mostly, the team will retain their core players.”
During the IPL 2025 edition, Shubman Gill’s Gujarat Titans were knocked out of the tournament after a defeat to the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Eliminator.
Stay tuned for more updates on IPL 2025, including live scores, match predictions, schedules, points tables, and squad information for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, and PBKS.
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