IPL 2025: Who Should PBKS Use Their RTM Card

IPL 2025: Strength personified, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) are going great guns with the most considerable purse size amid all teams — Rs 1110.5 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction. The team has retained two uncapped players: Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh, and it enjoys the allowance to use its Right-to-Match (RTM) on as many as four capped players. It will give the PBKS a window to regain some of the quality players from their 2024 team and rebuild their team going into the next season.

What is the Right-to-Match (RTM) Option in IPL 2025?

IPL teams are allowed to retain up to six players just prior to the auction, with a cap on the number of retained capped and uncapped players. The Right-to-Match rule allows a team to re-sign players who, at one time, were part of the same team that did not make it to the retention list from that particular team provided they are not currently on another team’s retaining list.

Under RTM, another team has the chance to first bid on the auction price of the player before the exercise right is given to any other team. If a team exercises the RTM option, then the option belongs to the exercising team to decide whether to match the given price or allow the player to go to the highest bidder.

Now, for PBKS, the RTM options make all the more sense because they are pretty well-suited to identify the right kind of player from their 2024 roster with just sufficient wallet flexibility for big-ticket bids at the auction. Let’s look at some players whom PBKS might want to bring back using the RTM option.

Key Candidates for RTM by PBKS in IPL 2025

1. Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep Singh stands atop the list of auctioning contenders for PBKS’s RTM. He happens to be one of the key players of the bowling lineup of PBKS, and although the team wouldn’t retain him for Rs 18 crore, some big bids could be done on him in the auction. The left-arm pacer has been a consistent performer in the last two IPL seasons and may be useful for PBKS with his ability to bowl in the death overs.

Given how consistent he has been and has the potential to grow in the future, PBKS will definitely try to retain him.

2. Jitesh Sharma

Another significant move for PBKS could be the inclusion of Jitesh Sharma in the RTM list. Though Jitesh went belly up miserably in IPL 2024 and lost his place in the Indian team, he performed extremely well at the backend of the matches for PBKS in the previous seasons. At the right price, he can again turn out to be a useful one, and particularly with finishing ability and versatility in the middle order.

3. Rahul Chahar

Rahul Chahar is a leg-spinner who has been in the books of PBKS since 2022 and has taken 32 wickets for the team. Though not retained this season, PBKS may look to pick him back through RTM if the price is within their budget. Chahar can play a more prominent role as a possible spin option for PBKS for the crucial break in the middle overs. His experience and record in the IPL make him a strong contender for PBKS’ RTM.

4. Harshal Patel

This means Harshal Patel, who won the Purple Cap of IPL 2021, was picked by PBKS in the 2024 auction and picked up 24 wickets that season. His retention cannot be confirmed but likely to be retained by the team as his death overs experience along with taking wickets at consistent frequencies has made him a pillar for the team. What makes Harshal even better is the multi-role player that he may end up playing in a match, helping win it and becoming a prime candidate for the team.

5. Liam Livingstone

Liam Livingstone is another who might come their way this time, even though he did not make much of an impact in the 2024 season. In 2023, Livingstone was quite destructive with the bat, with a strike rate of 160. A power-hitting all-rounder who can also bowl some part-time off-spin and leg-spin, Livingstone has it in him in every inning to change things around for PBKS. Provided they get him at a reasonable price, PBKS might employ RTM on him.

6. Sam Curran

Another uninspiring season for one of the England internationals, Sam Curran. However, he seems to have a good relationship with PBKS as reports suggest that they contacted him before the retention list was declared. Curran is the complete T20 package, so to say, with all-round skills in batting and bowling. PBKS might look to retain him again with a suitable bid in the auction or exercise RTM if it is reasonably priced.

7. Kagiso Rabada

Among the other players whose availability for the IT20 matches is yet to be confirmed is Kagiso Rabada, one of the most potent fast bowlers in the IPL. He has been a regular member of PBKS’ bowling attack since 2022. It is his consistent strike rate that makes him a strong contender for PBKS’ RTM. The crux is that he doesn’t fall in the category of the cream of international cricket, and hence, though he is in high demand, PBKS would consider his inclusion as he could help avert weaknesses in their bowling lineup.

8. Jonny Bairstow

Another overseas pick for PBKS is Bairstow, who had been just average for PBKS in IPL. He was phenomenal in the 2019 season and went out of form after that season. He is hitting up and down since then. His aggressive batting style and capability to open for the team can be very valuable if they get Bairstow in the auction at a decent price. They might use RTM to get him back if Bairstow is available at that price in the auction.

With a huge purse in hand and many worthies from the 2024 team still available for the RTM option, Punjab Kings have it only right to hope to bolster up their outfit in preparation for the IPL 2025 season. Arshdeep Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Rahul Chahar, Harshal Patel, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Kagiso Rabada, and Jonny Bairstow will be the obvious choices for PBKS while planning on their RTM.

The team will have to be wise in choosing the right combinations of bids within its allotted budget, but with a good combination of young talent and international experience, PBKS has built a competitive squad for the 2025 season.

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