Aakash Chopra opens up on Glenn Maxwell’s IPL future after Punjab Kings release

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has opened up on Glenn Maxwell’s IPL future after he was released by the Punjab Kings. Maxwell was bought for INR 4.20 crore but could not deliver the goods for the Mohali-based franchise.

Maxwell had failed to deliver the goods in the previous season of the tournament, managing only 48 runs in six innings at an average of eight and a strike rate of 97.95.

“They have said that they will let Maxwell go. Maxwell was for ₹4.20 crore. Mitchell Owen had come in his place. Mitchell Owen was retained and Maxwell was let go. Is it the end of an era? Why am I saying it’s an era? He has earned ₹101 crore from the IPL,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“I don’t grudge anybody’s money. I want them to make ₹100 crore in one season. Players should get that kind of money because it’s a multi-billion-dollar league. It’s possible someone could be interested, and it’s also possible no one could be interested. He might put his name, or he might not even put his name. So that’s going to be an interesting one,” he added.

Meanwhile, PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting revealed that Josh Inglis is not going to be available for the whole season in IPL 2026 and thus they decided to release him.

“Secondly, they have let Josh Inglis go. I was surprised, but Ricky Ponting confirmed that he isn’t available. He told Ricky that he won’t be available for the entire season. So he has been let go. Apart from him, they haven’t left too many players,” he said. 

Speaking on Punjab Kings’ auction strategy, the renowned commentator said PBKS need a middle order batter to replace Josh Inglis and they don’t need many players as they have a settled unit.

“They don’t need to buy much. They can find a middle-order batter because Josh Inglis is going. They could maybe look towards Cooper Connolly, and if they could get a backup pacer, and that’s about it. They don’t need too much. An Indian backup spinner and an overseas backup pacer with Xavier Bartlett, Lockie Ferguson and Marco Jansen. They are a good team and they have the money,” Chopra elaborated.

The IPL auction will likely take place on December 15.