Archive · 17 Dec 2025
PBKS Finalizes Squad for IPL 2026
The Punjab Kings (PBKS) cricket team has announced their final squad for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season.
They kept 21 players from their previous team and added 4 new players, including Cooper Connolly and Ben Dwarshuis, in the auction held in Abu Dhabi on December 16, 2025.
The team is led by captain Shreyas Iyer and coached by Ricky Ponting.
The new players include a mix of experienced and rising stars.
The team aims to build on their success from the 2025 season and complete their unfinished business in the 2026 season.
Additionally, the IPL 2026 mini auction saw 35 players sold for the first time in their careers, giving franchises fresh talent to experiment with and fans something new to look forward to.
PBKS retained 21 players and signed 4 new players in the IPL 2026 auction held in Abu Dhabi on December 16, 2025.
The best playing XI for IPL 2026 includes Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (C), Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Lockie Ferguson.
Shreyas Iyer, who led PBKS to the IPL final in 2025, will continue as captain and aims to complete the unfinished business in 2026.
Arshdeep Singh, India's highest wicket-taker in T20Is, will lead the pace bowling attack along with Marco Jansen and Lockie Ferguson.
Yuzvendra Chahal, the most successful bowler in IPL history, will lead the spin attack for PBKS.
- Who
- Punjab Kings (PBKS) cricket team
- What
- Finalized their squad for IPL 2026 by retaining 21 players and signing 4 new players
- When
- December 16, 2025 (auction), December 17, 2025 (announcement)
- Where
- Abu Dhabi (auction), Chandigarh (team base)
- Why
- To strengthen their squad after retaining key players and adding new talent in the IPL 2026 auction
- Team
- Punjab Kings (PBKS)
- Players Retained
- 21
- New Signings
- 4 (including Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Vishal Nishad)
- Total Squad Size
- 25
- Captain
- Shreyas Iyer
- Coach
- Ricky Ponting
- Highest Wicket-Taker in T20Is
- Arshdeep Singh
- Most Successful IPL Bowler
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Auction Location
- Abu Dhabi
- Auction Date
- December 16, 2025
Sources
PBKS' Best Playing XI For IPL 2026 After Mini Auction
SRH's Best Playing XI For IPL 2026 After Mini Auction
IPL Auction 2026: Full list of players sold for the first time in their career
Rs 1-2 Crore Buys That May Decide IPL 2026
IPL 2026 Auction: From CSK, KKR To MI, Here's Predicting The Best Playing XI And Impact Subs For All The Ten Franchises
PBKS IPL Auction 2026 Review: Smart additions by Iyer and Ponting, but holes remain
LSG IPL Auction 2026 Review: Why Lucknow Super Giants remain top-heavy despite a busy auction
Shreyas Iyer on PBKS getting Cooper Connolly: ‘He wasn’t in our mind at start, but we realised he fit the position perfectly’
Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals Gear Up for Fresh Push Ahead of IPL 2026
