Punjab Kings have replaced the injured Glenn Maxwell with Mitch Owen for the remainder of IPL 2025. Unlike Corbin Bosch, however, Owen will not be banned.
At the toss ahead of Punjab’s game against the Chennai Super Kings on April 30, captain Shreyas Iyer told that Maxwell had been recovering from a fracturing finger. Shortly afterwards, it was announced that Maxwell had been ruled out for the rest of IPL 2025.
As replacement, Punjab signed up uncapped Tasmanian all-rounder Owen for INR 3 crore. Owen had become the talk of the cricketing fraternity after his record-equalling hundred in the 2024/25 BBL final. In men’s T20 cricket, no one has more runs than Owen (646) at a better strike rate (185). He also bowls medium-pace.
When he accepted the offer, Owen had a contract with the Peshawar Zalmi in the ongoing edition of the PSL. From seven games, he has scored only 101 runs, albeit at a strike rate of 198, to go with two wickets at the time of writing.
PZ have three games left in the league stage – against Multan Sultans on May 5, against Karachi Kings on May 8, and against Lahore Qalandars on May 9. Now fifth in the points table, PZ do have an outside chance of making it to the playoffs, which will be played on May 13, 14, 16, and 18.
PBKS, meanwhile, will play the Lucknow Super Giants on May 4, Delhi Capitals on May 8, Mumbai Indians on May 11, and Rajasthan Royals on May 16. The IPL playoffs are on May 20, 21, 23, and 25. Second on the table with three games to go, they are among the favourites to feature in the playoffs.
There was, thus, the chance of a potential clash between Owen’s commitments in the two leagues. However, according to an ESPNcricinfo report, he will join PBKS only after the conclusion of PZ's PSL 2025 season.
In other words, if PZ do not make it to the top four, he will be available for Punjab's last two league matches and, if they qualify, the playoffs. If PZ qualify, Owen’s IPL availability will be postponed accordingly.
Earlier this year, Mumbai Indians had signed up Corbin Bosch, another cricketer contracted with PZ, when Lizaad Williams was ruled out. Bosch let go of his PSL contract and copped a one-year ban from the league.
If the report is true, Owen will not abruptly end an existing PSL contract. Unlike Bosch, thus, he is unlikely to face a ban.
