{"id":22467,"date":"2025-12-16T11:20:47","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T05:50:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/sports\/?p=671395"},"modified":"2025-12-15T16:19:35","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T10:49:35","slug":"ipl-2026-auction-what-punjab-kings-need-and-who-they-could-target","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/sports\/cricket\/ipl\/ipl-2026-auction-what-punjab-kings-need-and-who-they-could-target\/","title":{"rendered":"IPL 2026 Auction: What Punjab Kings need and who they could target"},"content":{"rendered":"

Punjab Kings<\/a> head into the IPL<\/a> 2026 mini-auction<\/strong> with one of the smallest shopping lists in the league<\/strong>. Having retained more players than any other franchise, the 2025 runners-up have just four slots to fill<\/strong>, two of them overseas<\/strong>, and a purse of Rs 11.50 crore<\/strong>. This gives PBKS<\/a> the luxury of being selective rather than reactive.<\/p>\n

Punjab Kings squad overview<\/h3>\n

Probable playing XII:<\/strong>
\nPrabhsimran Singh<\/a> (wk), Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Nehal Wadhera<\/a>, Mitchell Owen, Shashank Singh<\/a>, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen<\/a>, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh<\/a>, Lockie Ferguson<\/a>, Yuzvendra Chahal<\/a><\/p>\n

Other squad members:<\/strong>
\nVyshak Vijaykumar, Musheer Khan, Harnoor Pannu, Pyla Avinash, Suryansh Shedge, Vishnu Vinod, Yash Thakur, Azmatullah Omarzai<\/a>, Xavier Bartlett<\/p>\n

What Punjab Kings need at the auction<\/h3>\n

With four high-quality overseas all-rounders<\/strong> already in the squad, PBKS have strong flexibility in team combinations. They can either play three overseas all-rounders regularly<\/strong> or free up one overseas slot for a specialist batter<\/strong>, particularly someone capable of providing explosive middle-order contributions similar to Josh Inglis<\/a>\u2019 role in 2025<\/strong>. There is a strong possibility that this batter could also double up as a wicketkeeper<\/strong>, adding tactical depth.<\/p>\n

Fast-bowling depth is another area of consideration. While Xavier Bartlett<\/strong> is available as cover, PBKS may still look to sign an overseas quick as insurance for Lockie Ferguson<\/strong>, whose recent injury history remains a concern. A like-for-like replacement who can handle pace-friendly conditions and bowl at high intensity would reduce risk across a long season.<\/p>\n

Spin is the final piece of the puzzle. With Yuzvendra Chahal<\/strong> as the only frontline specialist spinner, PBKS lack depth in that department. Adding a backup leg-spinner or wrist-spinner<\/strong> would protect against workload management and injuries, especially during congested schedules.<\/p>\n

Potential targets for Punjab Kings<\/h3>\n

Given their limited slots and purse, PBKS are expected to pursue precision buys<\/strong> rather than bidding wars:<\/p>\n