04 May, 2025 | 03:26 PM

Punjab Kings (PBKS) have signed Mitchell Owen as an injury replacement for Glenn Maxwell for the remainder of IPL 2025. Maxwell has been ruled out of the tournament after suffering a fractured finger. Owen, one of the standout performers in recent T20 leagues, will join the franchise for INR 3 crore after completing his commitments with Peshawar Zalmi in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Owen, 23, is currently playing for Zalmi in the PSL, where the team sits fifth out of six on the points table. They play their final group-stage match on May 9. Should Zalmi qualify for the playoffs, Owen could remain unavailable until May 18 — the date of the PSL final. This timeline would see him arrive in India just in time for the IPL playoffs, assuming PBKS qualify. The franchise’s final league-stage match is scheduled for May 16.

A top-order batter from Tasmania, Owen shot to prominence during the latest edition of the Big Bash League (BBL), where he was the tournament’s leading run-scorer. He amassed 452 runs in 11 innings at a blistering strike rate of 203.60 and an average of 45.20, including a stunning 108 off 42 balls in the final, earning him the Player-of-the-Match award and helping the Hobart Hurricanes clinch the title.

Since his BBL heroics, Owen has also featured in the SA20 and PSL, steadily building his profile as a dynamic T20 all-rounder. Alongside his batting exploits, he has taken 10 wickets in 20 innings with his medium pace. PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting, who has worked closely with Owen as part of the Hurricanes' strategic staff in the BBL, has played a key role in bringing the young Australian to the IPL.

Owen had initially joined Peshawar Zalmi as a replacement for Corbin Bosch, who was banned from the PSL for one year after withdrawing from the tournament to join Mumbai Indians in the IPL. The PCB issued Bosch a legal notice following his abrupt departure, which he later acknowledged with a public apology.

Owen had registered for the IPL 2025 auction but was not included in the final shortlist. However, his eligibility as a replacement player remained intact, allowing PBKS to secure his services mid-season.

As PBKS await Owen's arrival, his availability for the crucial knockout stages hinges on Zalmi's progress in the PSL playoffs — a factor that could significantly impact Punjab's playoff strategy.