"He might not even put his name" - Aakash Chopra's massive claim on star all-rounder ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Former India player Aakash Chopra has opined that Glenn Maxwell might not find any takers at the IPL 2026 auction after being released by the Punjab Kings (PBKS). He added that the spin-bowling all-rounder might not even put his name in the auction.

Maxwell was among the five players released by PBKS ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, Kuldeep Sen and Pravin Dubey were the other four players not retained by the franchise.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener wondered whether PBKS' release of Maxwell implies the end of an era.

"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. (5:20).

"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.

Glenn Maxwell managed only 48 runs at a paltry average of 8.00 in six innings in IPL 2025. He picked up four wickets at an economy rate of 8.46 in six innings in this year's edition of the prestigious league.

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"I was surprised, but Ricky Ponting confirmed that he isn't available" - Aakash Chopra on PBKS releasing Josh Inglis ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Josh Inglis was the second-most expensive player released by PBKS ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. [P/C: Getty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that he was surprised by PBKS' release of Josh Inglis ahead of the IPL 2026 auction before Ricky Ponting confirmed the wicketkeeper-batter's unavailability for the entire season.

"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. (6:15)

To conclude, the cricketer-turned-commentator noted that the IPL 2025 runners-up have very few requirements and have a sufficient purse available for that.

"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 Punjab Kings have an available purse of ₹11.50 crore heading into the IPL 2026 auction. They already have 21 players in their squad and can buy at most four players, including two overseas.