Punjab Kings (PBKS), the runner-up of IPL 2025, entered into the IPL 2026 mini-auction with one of the smallest budgets among all teams. With ₹11.50 crore as the availability, which was the second lowest purse in the auction, PBKS was calm and did not get into early wars, waiting for the right pick at the right price.

The first purchase was made in the accelerated round, where Punjab Kings acquired young Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly for 3 crores. Connolly is a left-handed batter and also bowls slow left-arm spin. Kolkata Knight Riders showed interest and placed the opening bid at his base price, but PBKS pushed the price higher and successfully brought him into their squad.

Later on in the auctions, PBKS added more power to their fast bowlers by including the services of the Australian fast bowler Ben Dwarshuis in the reserve at the price of ₹4.40 crores. Adding more depth to the Indian talent pool, the franchise also picked Pravin Dubey and Vishal Nishad for ₹30 lakhs.

Punjab Kings Bought Players and Full Squad for IPL 2026

The Punjab Kings had an unforgettable season in the IPL 2025 under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer. They made it to the final for the first time in 11 years but lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six runs. Even though the PBKS could not get their hands on the trophy, they played well throughout the season. Because of this, the team management decided to make very few changes before the IPL 2026 auction.

The biggest name released by Punjab Kings was Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who failed to perform consistently and also suffered an injury during the 2025 season. Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis was also released. Apart from these changes, PBKS retained most of their core players to maintain stability and team balance.

See Also: IPL Auction 2026: Full squad and new bought players for Mumbai Indians

Punjab Kings Bought Players at IPL 2026 Auction

Cooper Connolly (₹3 crore), Ben Dwarshuis (₹4.40 crore), Pravin Dubey (₹30 lakh), Vishal Nishad (₹30 lakh)

Punjab Kings Full Squad for IPL 2026

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

While Abhishek Sharma has brought the fire as usual, with two big lucks, his opening partner Shubman Gill has fired the Aussie pacers in the powerplay of the fifth and final T20I at Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday (November 8) night. 

India scored 52/0 before interruption

Australian captain Mitchell Marsh chose to field first at Brisbane, as there was a rain threat during the match, and it became true, as the game stopped due to lightning and then for rain before the completion of the fifth over.  

Indian openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill set a 52-run partnership for the unbroken first wicket before the game was stopped at 4.5 overs. Opener Abhishek has scored 23 not out off 13 balls with one four and one six, as he got two lucks, while Shubman has produced more threatening innings. At the interruption, the right-handed opening batter Shubman scored 29 not out off 16 balls with six fours. 

[WATCH] Abhishek Sharma smashes Nathan Ellis for massive 6 during AUS vs IND 5th T20I

AUS vs IND, 5th T20I: Shubman Gill hit four fours to Ben Dwarshuis in the third over

In the third over of the innings, Shubman slammed four fours to the Aussie pacer Ben Dwarshuis. On the first delivery of the over, Shubman played a brilliant cover drive to send the full-length ball to the boundary. While the next ball was a dot, the Indian opener hit three consecutive boundaries in the next three deliveries.

On the third ball of the over, Shubman danced down the pitch and sent the ball for a four over the wide mid-on. On the next ball, Shubman stepped out and curved the ball through the backward point for another four. The streak ended by nailing a pull shot to a short delivery, which ran through the square leg for another boundary. The opener defended the next ball as he scored 16 runs from that over.  

each and every boundary he slammed was a "fuck you" shot. that's it.#ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/bvnOxJ8Uby

— ❤︎ (@sushipill77) November 8, 2025