PBKS Playoff Charge Faces Injury Hurdles as Maxwell Exits
Punjab Kings (PBKS) strengthened their IPL 2025 playoff bid with a 4-wicket win over CSK, rising to second place (13 points). However, twin injuries to Glenn Maxwell (finger fracture) and Lockie Ferguson threaten their campaign. Maxwell’s exit was confirmed on May 1, following a poor season (48 runs in 6 innings), while Ferguson’s absence has persisted for weeks.
Head coach Ricky Ponting admitted challenges in finding replacements, citing the ongoing Pakistan Super League as a limiting factor. “There’s not a lot of high-quality options available. We’re evaluating Indian talent and roles,” he stated. PBKS are training trialists in Dharamsala ahead of their next fixtures, with Ponting hinting at potential signings: “We’ll take a couple of players with us and decide before our 12th game.”
The franchise must finalize replacements under IPL’s mid-season rules, balancing immediate needs with long-term strategy. PBKS’s playoff push now hinges on squad depth, with ShreyasIyer (72 vs CSK) and YuzvendraChahal (hat-trick) leading their charge.