Australian opener Mitchell Owen has joined Punjab Kings (PBKS) to replace Glenn Maxwell due to injury for the current IPL 2025 season. The signing was officially verified by the Indian Premier League via an update posted on their X account. When Mitchell Owen led the Hobart Hurricanes to victory in the Big Bash League with a spectacular knock in the championship game, he became a household star.
In the ongoing season of the cash-rich league, Glenn Maxwell was not in great form, which was a worrying sign for the team. In seven games, he scored only 48 runs. During the practice session before the game against KKR, Maxwell got hit on his finger. After a few checks the things got worse for PBKS. When the result came, Glenn Maxwell was ruled out of the remaining season due to a finger injury. To replace him in the squad, Mitchell Owen joined Punjab Kings for Rs 3 crores. Currently, he was playing in PSL 2025 for Babar Azam's side, Peshawar Zalmi.
What Mitchell Owen brings to the team
The 23-year-old Mitchell Owen has good record in T20, in 34 games he scored 646 runs with an average of 25.84. He also have two hundreds to his name. Apart from batting he has taken 10 wickets at an average of 37.40 with the ball. With a spectacular century in the final game, he helped the Hobart Hurricanes win the 2024–25 Big Bash League (BBL). With players like Mitchell Owen joining the side, it boosts PBKS' chances to reach in top four.
Punjab Kings are competing to advance into the playoffs. PBKS, who have 13 points and a net run rate of +0.199, are now in fourth position. On Sunday, May 4, at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, they will play the Rishabh Pant-led Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).