Punjab Kings (PBKS) strongest playing 11 for IPL 2026 after mini auction

After a long time, Punjab Kings (PBKS) got it right in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting, as they ended as the runners-up of the campaign, losing the final against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Punjab hopes to continue the same success mantra in the 2026 season.

One of the biggest reasons for the success of the franchise was their opening batter, Priyansh Arya, who smashed 475 runs in 17 innings at an average of 27.94 and a strike rate of 179.24 with the help of two half-centuries and one century at the best score of 103. He hopes to showcase another such edition with the bat.

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Their captain, Shreyas Iyer, was equally excellent with the bat in the middle order of the side as they cracked 604 runs in 17 innings of the competition at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 175.07, scoring six half-centuries at the best score of undefeated 97 runs.

Punjab Kings’ strongest playing 11 for IPL 2026 after mini auction

Punjab didn’t lift its paddle in the first five hours of the auction. They didn’t actually have any gap in the squad, apart from Josh Inglis, whom they left out, given he won’t be available for more than four games of the season due to his wedding. They also needed some injury placements, which they completed in the bidding war.

Punjab Kings full squad for IPL 2026

Harnoor Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Priyansh Arya, Pyla Avinash, Shreyas Iyer, Prabhsimran Singh, Vishnu Vinod, Azmatullah Omarzai, Ben Dwarshuis, Cooper Connolly, Harpreet Brar, Marco Jansen, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Owen, Musheer Khan, Shashank Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Praveen Dubey, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Vishal Nishad, Xavier Bartlett, Yash Thakur.

In the opening pair, the Kings won’t need to think much over Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, who drilled 549 runs in 17 innings of the last IPL at an average of 32.29 and a strike rate of 160.52 with the help of four half-centuries at the best score of 91. At number three, they will have Shreyas, followed by Nehal Wadhera at four.

Mitchell Owen can now straightaway come into the eleven at number five and blast the big shots he has been known for. But as his replacement, the franchise also signed the young and aggressive Australian batter, Cooper Connolly, who can also provide a few overs of left-arm spin.

In the middle order, the toss-up will be between Marcus Stoinis and Azmatullah Omarzai, where the latter is likely to get his place in the eleven. The Afghanistan star bowled really well in the last season and added some vital runs with the bat whenever required, and may look to continue the same in the 2026 campaign.

Shashank Singh can end up being at number seven as their impact player, having bailed them out on many occasions in the tournament. Marco Jansen has developed his skills with the bat and ball and can prove to be handy with the new ball and later in the death overs. Arshdeep Singh brings the left-arm angle into the game, while the rocket pace of Lockie Ferguson. Ben Dwarshuis could be his replacement.

And last but not least, Yuzvendra Chahal, who has a new career with the Punjab Kings, as he earned so much success in the IPL 2025.

PBKS strongest playing 11 for IPL 2026 after mini auction

Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk.), Shreyas Iyer, Nehal Wadhera, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis/Azmatullah Omarzai, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson/Ben Dwarshuis.

Impact player: Yuzvendra Chahal.