IPL 2026: Punjab Kings (PBKS), which missed the title by just six runs in IPL 2025, has now started preparations for the next season. The franchise has time till November 15 to submit the retention and release list of players. Despite the new captaincy, new enthusiasm and excellent performance of the old players, the team had to face defeat in the final. Now under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, Punjab would like to enter IPL 2026 with a strong and balanced team.
The strong core of the team will remain intact
The franchise currently has many reliable players who had performed well in the last season. Shreyas Iyer batted brilliantly as captain and scored 604 runs. Whereas, fast bowler Arshdeep Singh and spinner Yuzvendra Chahal were the most successful bowlers of the team.
Shashank Singh had won everyone’s hearts with his explosive finishing in the middle order. Apart from them, Prabhsimran Singh and young opener Priyansh Arya have also confirmed their place by performing brilliantly.
The blame may fall on these players
However, there are some big names whose performance has not lived up to expectations.
Glenn Maxwell – On whom Punjab expressed confidence for many seasons, but his bat did not yield consistent runs.
Marcus Stoinis – Which were bought for Rs 11 crore, proved to be an ‘expensive investment’ for the team.
Aaron Hardy and Musheer Khan – These two players may also not get a place in the team. Hardy sat on the bench throughout the season, while Mushir got a chance to play only one match. According to sources, Punjab can adopt the strategy of releasing these players and bidding again in the auction, so that a better combination can be made.
players to be retained
Shreyas Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Vijaykumar Vyasak, Yash Thakur, Harpreet Brar, Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Marco Jansen, Josh Inglis, Xavier Bartlett, Kuldeep Sen, Praveen Dubey, Azmatullah Omarzai, Lockie Ferguson.
potential release players
Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardy, Musheer Khan, Harnoor Singh.
further strategy
Punjab Kings will now go to the auction in search of balanced all-rounders and death bowlers. The team’s aim will be to not repeat the mistake of 2025 and win the title in 2026.
