Punjab Kings (PBKS) have announced Mitchell Owen as the replacement for the injured Glenn Maxwell in the ongoing IPL 2025 season. Maxwell’s absence due to a broken finger has led the team to enlist the services of the dynamic 23-year-old all-rounder from Australia.
Owen grabbed headlines earlier this year with a remarkable performance in the Big Bash League (BBL) final, where he achieved the fastest century in BBL history on January 27. Playing for the Hobart Hurricanes, he scored an explosive 108 off 42 balls, featuring eleven sixes and six fours, to steer his team to victory in a thrilling final match.
The cricketing world took notice of Owen’s exceptional talent, with Australian legend Ricky Ponting commending his extraordinary innings, emphasizing the rarity of such a feat on the global stage.
Having made his List A debut in 2021 and first-class debut in 2023, Owen truly made his mark during the 2024 BBL season. Emerging as the leading run-scorer in BBL 14, he amassed 452 runs in 11 matches, including two centuries. Notably, his unbeaten 101 against the Perth Scorchers showcased his prowess as a dominant batsman.
Besides his BBL success, Owen recently joined the SA20 league, signing with the Paarl Royals as a replacement for England’s Joe Root. He further showcased his T20 skills by participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for Peshawar Zalmi, albeit with a relatively subdued performance, scoring 101 runs in seven innings.
Owen’s swift transition from the PSL to the IPL demonstrates his adaptability and readiness to take on new challenges at a high level of competition. His inclusion in Punjab Kings adds a fresh dimension to the team’s lineup and raises expectations for his impact in the remainder of the IPL season.
As the cricketing community eagerly anticipates Owen’s debut with PBKS, his journey from a rising talent in Australian cricket to a sought-after player in international T20 leagues underscores the evolving landscape of the sport and the increasing opportunities for young players to shine on a global platform.
With Owen set to make his mark in IPL 2025, fans and pundits alike will be closely watching his performance and assessing how he navigates the pressures of elite cricket while striving to leave a lasting impression in one of the world’s most prestigious T20 leagues.