Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting has provided detailed reasoning behind the franchise's decision to release three prominent overseas players—Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis, and Aaron Hardie—ahead of the IPL 2026 mega auction set for December 16 in Jeddah. Speaking on JioStar’s Retention Show, Ponting emphasized strategic planning to optimize overseas slots and ensure a stronger starting lineup. The releases, while tough, were aimed at creating flexibility in a competitive auction environment where teams are limited to four overseas players in the playing XI.

The most notable departure is Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, a longtime associate of Ponting from previous coaching stints. "I love him and what he brings to the game, but unfortunately last year we couldn’t get the best out of him, and looking ahead we did not feel he would be in our starting team," Ponting explained. Despite Maxwell's explosive potential, inconsistent form and team composition concerns led to the difficult call to part ways.

Aaron Hardie, another Australian all-rounder, was released primarily due to lack of opportunities in the previous season. Hardie did not feature in any matches, making his retention less viable when balancing squad needs. Ponting acknowledged the challenge of letting go of talented players but stressed the necessity to open up overseas positions for fresh acquisitions at the auction.

Also Read: BCCI Revises IPL 2026 Auction List, Confirms Nine Fresh Additions Including Overseas Picks

Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis, who delivered impactful performances in the latter half of the last IPL, was also let go due to confirmed limited availability for the 2026 season. Inglis had missed games previously and informed the management of scheduling conflicts, prompting the franchise to seek a more reliable option. His departure creates a specific gap for an overseas keeper-batter in the auction strategy.

Former India spinner Anil Kumble praised Punjab Kings for retaining a balanced core following their runner-up finish last season, noting strong performances from Indian players like Shashank Singh and Arshdeep Singh. With INR 11.50 crore in the purse and four overseas slots open, Kumble suggested targeting backup fast bowlers, uncapped Indian talents, and a direct replacement for Inglis to maintain depth.

Overall, Punjab Kings enter the auction with continuity through captain Shreyas Iyer and key retainees like Yuzvendra Chahal, Marcus Stoinis, and Lockie Ferguson. The calculated releases position the franchise to address specific weaknesses while building on recent success, aiming for sustained contention in IPL 2026.

Also Read: SMAT 2025/26 Breakouts Position Five Uncapped Indians as Top IPL 2026 Targets