PBKS in IPL 2026: Punjab Kings Seek Redemption; Predicted Playing XI Revealed
Punjab Kings (PBKS) enter the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) as last season’s runners-up, guided by head coach Ricky Ponting. After securing 9 wins and finishing first in the league standings in IPL 2025, they were narrowly defeated by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by just 6 runs in the final. This heartbreak drives their determination for a stronger performance this season.
Shreyas Iyer returns as captain after recovering from a serious spleen injury that caused him to lose 7kg in body weight. He has since regained his strength and is ready to lead the team. PBKS’ campaign kicks off on March 31 against Gujarat Titans at the new Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in Mullanpur.
The team retained 21 players, released Glenn Maxwell and Josh Inglis, and added Cooper Connolly and Ben Dwarshuis during the mini-auction. The squad now features 25 players, providing a stable foundation for the tournament.
**Batters:** Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Prabhsimran Singh (Wicketkeeper), Priyansh Arya, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Vishnu Vinod (Wicketkeeper), Harnoor Pannu, Pyla Avinash
**All-Rounders:** Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Azmatullah Omarzai, Musheer Khan, Priyansh Arya, Suryansh Shedge, Mitch Owen, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Dasun Shanaka
**Bowlers:** Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Lockie Ferguson, Xavier Bartlett, Yash Thakur, Pravin Dubey, Vishal Nishad
Prabhsimran Singh will open the batting and keep wickets. His goal is to maintain a strike rate above 170 in the power play. Priyansh Arya will bat alongside him from the left side, bringing aggressive intent that forces opposition captains to adjust their bowling plans early.
Shreyas Iyer will bat at number three to stabilize the batting order. He had an exceptional IPL 2025 season, scoring 604 runs with a strike rate of 175. Nehal Wadhera at four has emerged as a reliable middle-order batter, scoring 369 runs in 16 matches last season.
Marcus Stoinis and Marco Jansen provide all-round strength to the team, excelling both with the bat and ball. Shashank Singh is a trusted finisher, having scored 704 runs in 31 matches over two seasons. Harpreet Brar is known for his ability to defend totals, while Yuzvendra Chahal leads the spin attack as India’s most successful IPL leg-spinner.
Arshdeep Singh heads the pace attack, excelling in death bowling. His partnership with Marco Jansen forms one of the tournament’s strongest new-ball pairs. Cooper Connolly or Vyshak Vijaykumar are expected to be key impact players this season.