“All these will give you 25 crores”

India cricketer Hanuma Vihari picked players that the Punjab Kings (PBKS) must release after IPL 2026. PBKS finished fifth on the table and failed to make the playoffs despite having started well.

Ahead of the next season, Hanuma Vihari first picked Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis to be released by Punjab. Stoinis was retained for ₹11 crore for the 2026 season. Vihari reckoned that his returns were not worth the price tag and also highlighted that Stoinis is close to 37 years of age.

“Marcus Stoinis will be my first release. He was bought for 11 crores in the auction and for that amount, at number six or seven, he is not worth it. He is not a youngster where he can give you 2-3 more years. He was not that effective in the bowling as well. If you want to buy him back for a lesser price, that is a different story,” he said on his YouTube channel.

Stoinis scored 216 runs from nine innings at an average of 36 and a strike rate of 180. With the ball, he bowled in just four games and picked up two wickets, not making any significant contribution.

Further, Hanuma Vihari reckoned that the likes of Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Mitchell Owen, and Lockie Ferguson must be released as well. However, he added that Shashank Singh could be a debatable call.

“They have to release Nehal Wadhera. This season was a flop for him. Another debatable release for me is Shashank Singh at 5 crores. Is it worth at that amount? Another player is Mitch Owen. They did not even use him in this tournament. Lockie Ferguson should be another release. All these will give you 25 crores,” he stated.

Nehal Wadhera managed to score just 65 runs from six innings while Shashank also disappointed, scoring just 132 runs from nine innings. Ferguson played just three games while Owen did not get a single opportunity.

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Hanuma Vihari on retention of Arshdeep and Chahal, who PBKS must target

Two of PBKS’s lead bowlers did not have the kind of season the team would have expected of them. Pacer Arshdeep Singh bagged just 14 wickets from as many games at an average of 38.64 and an economy rate of 10.20. On the other hand, Yuzvendra Chahal ended with just 12 wickets from as many innings at an average of 32.08 and an economy rate of 9.39.

However, Hanuma Vihari reckoned that PBKS should retain the two bowlers for at least another year before the 2028 mega auction. That said, he added that they could consider letting Chahal go depending on his off-season performance and make use of Harpreet Brar.

“They should continue with Chahal and Arshdeep for at least another year till the mega auction because of their past record. 18 crores is a lot of money for a spinner, so you can see what he does in the off-season. The role of spinners this season went down drastically. You have Harpreet Brar who is consistent and very economical as well. If you are keeping Chahal, use him more,” he said.

On whom PBKS should look to target at the mini auction, Hanuma Vihari picked England all-rounder Ben Stokes, albeit subject to availability. He urged the franchise to go after him if they have enough money in the bank.

“If you manage to have these 25 crores in the purse, you need a good top-order batter at number four or five. Four and five is still covered with Shreyas and Shedge but they have to look at number six and seven. They need a decent overseas all-rounder for Stoinis. If Ben Stokes is available, I will go for him. If you have the money, go till 16-17 crores for him,” Hanuma Vihari stated.

Ben Stokes last featured in the IPL in 2023. He has represented the now-defunct Rising Pune SuperGiant (RPSG), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and the Rajasthan Royals (RR).