Punjab Kings once again arrive at an IPL season with optimism, intent and a carefully shaped core. The Tata IPL Auction 2026, a mini-auction held in Abu Dhabi on December 16, 2025, gives PBKS a final opportunity
to fine-tune a squad that already looks far more settled than in previous years.
With just a handful of slots left to fill, Punjab Kings are no longer in rebuild mode - this is about balance, backups and match-winning depth.
The mini-auction itself carries plenty of intrigue. Ten franchises are battling for 77 available slots, including 31 overseas positions, with teams like KKR entering the room with massive spending power. Punjab Kings, however, have taken a different route. Instead of chasing headline-grabbing signings, PBKS have prioritised stability, leadership and role clarity, trusting a strong Indian core supported by proven overseas all-rounders.
At the heart of this setup is Shreyas Iyer, who continues as captain and batting anchor. With players like Prabhsimran Singh, Shashank Singh and Nehal Wadhera providing Indian batting depth, and a bowling attack led by Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal, PBKS look far more rounded heading into IPL 2026. The auction is now about plugging small gaps rather than rewriting the blueprint.
PBKS Retained Players List
Batsmen / All-rounders:
Shreyas Iyer (C), Prabhsimran Singh, Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Priyansh Arya, Musheer Khan, Suryansh Shedge, Marcus Stoinis (Australia), Mitchell Owen (Australia)
Bowlers:
Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harpreet Brar, Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan), Marco Jansen (South Africa), Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand), Xavier Bartlett (Australia), Yash Thakur, Vyshak Vijaykumar
Wicketkeepers:
Vishnu Vinod
Other Players:
Harnoor Pannu, Pyla Avinash
Punjab Kings IPL 2026 Buys with Price
Ben Dwarshuis - Rs 4.40 crore
Cooper Connolly - Rs 3 crore
Vishal Nishad - Rs 30 lakh
Pravin Dubey - Rs 30 lakh
PBKS IPL 2026 Full Squad
Shreyas Iyer (C), Prabhsimran Singh, Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Priyansh Arya, Musheer Khan,
Suryansh Shedge, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Owen, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harpreet Brar,
Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, Xavier Bartlett, Yash Thakur, Vyshak Vijaykumar,
Vishnu Vinod, Harnoor Pannu, Pyla Avinash, Vishal Nishad, Pravin Dubey, Ben Dwarshuis, Cooper Connolly
