In a surprising turn of events, Punjab Kings have announced that Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell will not be retained for the 2026 Indian Premier League season. This decision is part of a broader squad revamp as the franchise aims to address weaknesses that cost them the title in the previous season.
Maxwell, who has been a marquee player for Punjab Kings in past campaigns, struggled to make an impact in the 2025 season. After seven matches, he suffered a finger injury that ruled him out for the remainder of the tournament. Even before the injury, Maxwell’s performance with the bat had been underwhelming. Across six innings, he amassed just 48 runs, with four successive single-digit scores, while claiming four wickets.
This dip in form, coupled with fitness concerns, ultimately led the franchise to let him go. Maxwell, who retired from ODI cricket in June 2025, had been purchased for INR 4.20 crore at the previous IPL auction, marking his third stint with Punjab Kings. He had previously represented the team from 2014 to 2017 and again in 2021.
In his absence, the franchise had turned to fellow Australian Mitchell Wayne. The young batting sensation had delivered a sensational Big Bash League season, scoring two centuries and finishing as the leading run-scorer with 452 runs at a strike rate of 203.60. Despite a disappointing IPL debut—where he was dismissed for a two-ball duck—Punjab Kings remain optimistic about his long-term potential and have retained him for INR 3 crore.
Punjab Kings are also releasing several other players, including Aaron Hardie, Kyle Jamieson, Kuldeep Sen, Praveen Dubey, and Vishnu Vinod. This indicates a full-scale restructuring of the squad as they look to build a more consistent and balanced team for the upcoming season.
Fans will be watching closely to see if the franchise’s gamble pays off. Will this overhaul propel Punjab Kings to the IPL summit, or will the risk of releasing experienced campaigners backfire? Only time will tell.