Punjab Kings will have a different face at their auction table this year. Captain Shreyas Iyer is set to represent PBKS at the IPL 2026 Auction in Abu Dhabi on December 16, while head coach Ricky Ponting will not be present due to broadcasting commitments.
According to a report by Cricbuzz, Shreyas Iyer will be one of the eight officials allowed at the table as per BCCI regulations. The franchise has decided that Iyer will sit in the leadership chair as Punjab Kings prepare to fill their remaining squad slots for the new season.
Ponting, however, is unavailable. The former Australia captain is contractually committed to Channel 7 for commentary duties during the Ashes Test in Adelaide, which begins the very next day. As a result, he will remain in Australia instead of travelling to Abu Dhabi for the auction.
Shreyas Iyer has been recovering from a spleen injury sustained during India’s tour of Australia in October. Reports suggest he is nearing full fitness and is expected to be match-ready before the start of IPL 2026 in late March.
Punjab Kings enter the auction with a clear strategy and will rely on Iyer and other senior management members to take charge of bidding decisions in Ponting’s absence.
