After a remarkable IPL 2025 season that saw Punjab Kings (PBKS) reach the final after a decade, the franchise is entering the IPL 2026 season with renewed focus and a sharper, more practical plan. Led by Shreyas Iyer and guided by Ricky Ponting, PBKS are building on their strong 2025 campaign by retaining a balanced mix of young Indian talent, core performers, and clearly defined role-based players. The franchise has also made bold decisions by releasing high-cost and inconsistent names to shape a more stable squad for IPL 2026, ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction scheduled on December 16, 2025 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Punjab Kings 2025 Recap: From Finalists to Future-Builders
Punjab Kings enjoyed one of their best IPL seasons in 2025, finishing runners-up to RCB. Strong performances from their Indian core and impactful overseas stars helped PBKS break into the finals after a long wait. However, inconsistency from some senior players and injury-prone names pushed the management to adopt a strategic approach ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction.
PBKS IPL 2026 Retention Strategy
Punjab’s management focused on stability, long-term planning, and Indian core strength. PBKS retained players who defined their 2025 success while keeping affordable and high-potential Indian backups. Their overseas retention choices reflect a desire for all-round versatility.
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Punjab Kings Retained Players List for IPL 2026 (Official)
| Category | Player Name | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batters & WKs | Shreyas Iyer (C) | Batter | Captain & batting core |
| Nehal Wadhera | Batter | Reliable middle-order option | |
| Prabhsimran Singh | WK-Batter | Top-order wicketkeeper | |
| Vishnu Vinod | WK-Batter | Backup wicketkeeper | |
| Harnoor Pannu | Batter | Young domestic batter | |
| Pyla Avinash | Batter | Developmental domestic talent | |
| All-Rounders | Marcus Stoinis* | All-Rounder | Key overseas all-rounder (AUS) |
| Marco Jansen* | All-Rounder | Left-arm pace all-rounder (SA) | |
| Azmatullah Omarzai* | All-Rounder | Utility all-rounder (AFG) | |
| Xavier Bartlett* | All-Rounder | AUS all-round pace option | |
| Mitch Owen* | All-Rounder | Overseas seam-bowling all-rounder (AUS) | |
| Harpreet Brar | All-Rounder | Lead Indian spinner-allrounder | |
| Priyansh Arya | All-Rounder | Upcoming domestic talent | |
| Musheer Khan | All-Rounder | Young batting all-rounder | |
| Suryansh Shedge | All-Rounder | Indian all-rounder | |
| Bowlers | Arshdeep Singh | Pace Bowler | Lead pacer |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | Spinner | Experienced leg-spinner | |
| Lockie Ferguson* | Pace Bowler | NZ express pacer | |
| Vyshak Vijaykumar | Pace Bowler | Indian pace backup | |
| Yash Thakur | Pace Bowler | Mid-overs pacer |
Purse Remaining: ₹11.5 Crore | Slots Left: 4 (including 2 overseas)
These retentions show PBKS’ commitment to a heavily Indian-driven squad backed by multi-dimensional overseas all-rounders.
PBKS IPL 2026 Released Players List (Official)
Punjab Kings have released five players — mostly overseas names — who did not fit into the team’s tactical roadmap for IPL 2026.
| Player Name | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Inglis* | WK-Batter | Officially Released |
| Aaron Hardie* | All-Rounder | Officially Released |
| Glenn Maxwell* | All-Rounder | Officially Released |
| Kuldeep Sen | Pace Bowler | Officially Released |
| Praveen Dubey | Spinner | Officially Released |
Key Retained Players to Watch
Shreyas Iyer – The Captain & Core
Iyer remains the backbone of PBKS’ batting lineup. His composure and middle-order stability were crucial in PBKS reaching the IPL 2025 final.
Arshdeep Singh – Punjab’s Bowling Spearhead
Arshdeep continues to be PBKS’ most dependable pacer, handling both the new ball and death overs with skill and confidence.
Marco Jansen & Omarzai – Overseas All-Round Strength
With Jansen’s left-arm pace and Omarzai’s all-round versatility, PBKS have strong overseas balance heading into 2026.
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PBKS 2026 Mini-Auction Strategy
With a purse of ₹11.5 crore and four slots to fill, PBKS are expected to target:
- A powerful finisher for the lower middle-order
- An experienced Indian leg-spinner
- A death-overs specialist pacer
Punjab Kings IPL 2026 Squad Summary (So Far)
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| Batters & WKs | Shreyas Iyer (C), Prabhsimran Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Vishnu Vinod, Harnoor Pannu, Pyla Avinash |
| All-Rounders | Marcus Stoinis*, Marco Jansen*, Azmatullah Omarzai*, Xavier Bartlett*, Mitch Owen*, Harpreet Brar, Priyansh Arya, Musheer Khan, Suryansh Shedge |
| Bowlers | Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Lockie Ferguson*, Yash Thakur, Vyshak Vijaykumar |
Read more: IPL 2026 Trade: Players List, Transfers, Rumours, Window Rules
Final Thoughts
Punjab Kings look more settled and structured this season. With a strong Indian foundation, multiple quality all-rounders, and ₹11.5 crore left for finishing touches at the auction, PBKS enter IPL 2026 as one of the most balanced franchises aiming for their maiden title.
