Punjab Kings have brought in Australian all-rounder Mitchell Owen as a replacement for Glenn Maxwell, who has been ruled out of the rest of IPL 2025 with a broken finger. Owen joins the squad for Rs 3 crore and will be hoping to make an immediate impact as the Kings enter a crucial phase of their season.
The 23-year-old Tasmanian might not be a household name yet, but he’s been making waves in T20 leagues around the world. With 646 runs in 34 T20s — including two centuries and a blistering 108 as his best — he’s shown he’s got the firepower. He’s also chipped in with 10 wickets, making him a handy addition for Punjab. Most notably, Owen lit up the Big Bash League earlier this year when he hammered a record-equaling 108 off just 42 balls, smashing 11 sixes to lead the Hobart Hurricanes to their maiden title. He followed that up with a jaw-dropping 149 off 69 in the One-Day Cup for Tasmania. No surprise that T20 franchises from the SA20 and PSL came knocking soon after.
Maxwell’s exit, though unfortunate, didn’t come out of the blue. Picked up for Rs 4.2 crore at the last auction, the Aussie star had a rough season with the bat — just 48 runs in six innings, with his last four scores all in single digits. While he did contribute with the ball, picking up four wickets, the Kings have now lost one of their marquee players at a key moment. It’s the second major injury blow for Punjab this season, after Lockie Ferguson was also ruled out earlier.
Ahead of their home clash against the Lucknow Super Giants in Dharamsala, Assistant Coach Brad Haddin addressed the media, clearly upbeat about the team’s direction. “Our young guys are really starting to step up, and that's been the most pleasing aspect so far,” Haddin said in a press release. “Of course, our senior players thrive in these high-pressure moments and will be key to winning games, but it's the emerging talent that's giving us real depth.”
That blend of youth and experience has served PBKS well. With six wins from ten matches, they currently sit fourth in the points table and have a solid shot at reaching the playoffs. A win against LSG on Sunday evening could solidify their place in the top four as the business end of the season draws near.
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