'They took bold calls': Irfan Pathan's big verdict on Punjab Kings ahead of IPL 2026
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes Punjab Kings are finally heading in the right direction after making smart and bold auction decisions. The franchise showed renewed clarity in leadership and squad building, leading to a breakthrough IPL 2025 campaign where they reached the finals under Shreyas Iyer's captaincy.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes the Punjab Kings are finally “moving in the right direction” after making smart and bold decisions at the auction table, raising hopes of ending their long wait for an Indian Premier League (IPL) title. Speaking on IPL Today Live, Pathan highlighted how the franchise has shown renewed clarity in both leadership and squad-building. Punjab Kings finished as runners-up last season, narrowly losing the final to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Clear Leadership Driving Punjab’s Turnaround "Leadership has played a huge role in Punjab's turnaround. You win half the IPL at the auction table. Big purses don’t necessarily mean you will always get what you want, but they did, and they reached the final," he said.
Smart auction moves key to Punjab’s rise Pathan pointed out that the franchise has not shied away from taking tough calls, including releasing underperforming players such as Glenn Maxwell, while also strengthening their bench. “They took bold but important calls... and now you see all-rounders like Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen and Marcus Stoinis, along with a young Indian batting core.
They also went all-out for Shreyas Iyer after deciding he would be the captain. There is clarity of thought, and I feel Punjab have started to move in the right direction," he said. Punjab Kings in IPL 2025 The Punjab Kings enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in IPL 2025, emerging as one of the most consistent teams of the season.