Punjab Kings are carefully managing the arrival of their overseas players ahead of IPL 2026. Head coach Ricky Ponting will join the team camp earlier, but some international players have been given extra time before reporting.
One of the key players arriving later is South African all-rounder Marco Jansen.
Marco Jansen Given Extra Time Before Joining PBKS
Marco Jansen will not arrive with the first group of overseas players. He has been allowed to join the Punjab Kings squad a few days later to recover from a busy international schedule.
Jansen recently played in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 held in India and Sri Lanka. After the tournament, several players faced travel disruptions because of tensions in West Asia, including conflicts involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Due to these disruptions, some South African and West Indian players were unable to travel home immediately and remained away from their families for more than a week.
Punjab Kings decided not to rush Jansen’s return so that he can rest properly before joining the team.
Expected Arrival Dates of PBKS Overseas Members
| Member | Role | Arrival Date |
|---|---|---|
| Ricky Ponting | Head Coach | March 21 |
| Overseas players (first group) | Various roles | March 21 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | All-rounder | March 23 |
| Marco Jansen | All-rounder | March 26 |
Azmatullah Omarzai to Join Camp Earlier
Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai is expected to join the PBKS squad on March 23.
He will travel from Kabul despite tensions in the region caused by recent attacks near the Pakistan border.
The franchise is coordinating travel plans carefully to ensure players can join the camp safely and without unnecessary stress.
Ponting Supports Player Recovery and Preparation
Ricky Ponting is known for focusing strongly on player welfare. According to team sources, he supports the decision to give Jansen more time at home before the IPL begins.
Since Jansen left India later than some other players after the World Cup, Ponting believes it is important that he gets proper rest before joining the squad.
Punjab Kings also view Jansen as a very important player because of his ability to contribute with both bat and ball.
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Punjab Kings are clearly prioritizing player readiness and recovery before the start of the season.
Allowing Jansen to arrive later helps ensure that he will be fresh and fully prepared for the tournament.
With players arriving in phases and training sessions planned accordingly, the team hopes to build a strong and balanced squad for IPL 2026.
Fans will be watching closely as the PBKS camp begins to take shape and preparations continue for the upcoming season.
