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Punjab Kings continue striving for success in the Indian Premier League (IPL), as they look to overcome a decade-long drought of failing to reach the playoffs. As the IPL 2025 season approaches, Punjab Kings need to tackle several major concerns to improve their standings and break their streak of underperformance.

The team’s history in the IPL shows a pattern of struggle, having reached the playoffs only twice in 17 seasons. Their best performance was reaching the final in 2014. In recent years, they finished ninth in the previous season with five wins and nine losses.

As Punjab Kings approach the 2025 auction, they are in a strong position financially, entering with the largest budget of INR 110.5 crore. They have invested heavily in key players such as Shreyas Iyer, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Marcus Stoinis, and Glenn Maxwell. Shreyas Iyer will lead the team as the captain and brings experience, despite some challenges with high-end pace and short-pitched bowling.

The team has strengthened its squad with overseas all-rounders, including Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Aaron Hardie. Glenn Maxwell, known for his explosive performances, reached over 1200 runs from 2021 to 2023, maintaining an impressive average and strike rate. Despite past inconsistencies, Marcus Stoinis was a significant investment at INR 11 crore.

One major concern is the bowling department; Lockie Ferguson, who has faced recent injuries, and Xavier Bartlett, with limited experience in subcontinent conditions, will need to perform exceptionally. The batting lineup also lacks left-handed options, with Nehal Wadhera being a crucial player against spin.

The Punjab Kings must address these challenges and maximize their strategic investments to turn their fortunes around in IPL 2025, aiming to finally secure a spot in the playoffs.

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