PBKS' strongest playing XI and impact player options after IPL 2026 auction ft. Shreyas Iyer & Mitchell Owen

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) had a fairly uneventful time at the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. With their first-choice playing XII having already been established following their appearance in the final of the previous campaign, they had only backups to acquire.

PBKS, led by captain Shreyas Iyer at the auction table, managed to achieve their goals. They snapped up a couple of key overseas backups and also signed some domestic talent. Their best side isn't expected to change much during the upcoming campaign.

PBKS' squad for IPL 2026: Arshdeep Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harnoor Pannu, Harpreet Brar, Lockie Ferguson, Marco Jansen, Marcus Stoinis, Mitch Owen, Musheer Khan, Nehal Wadhera, Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Pyla Avinash, Shashank Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Suryansh Shedge, Vishnu Vinod, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Xavier Bartlett, Yash Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Cooper Connolly (INR 3 Cr), Pravin Dubey (INR 30 lakh), Vishal Nishad (INR 30 lakh), Ben Dwarshuis (INR 4.40 Cr).

On that note, here is PBKS' strongest playing XI and impact player options after the IPL 2026 auction.

Openers: Prabhsimran Singh (wk) and Priyansh Arya

2025 IPL: Qualifier 2 - Punjab Kings v Mumbai Indians - Source: Getty

Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya will continue to open the batting for Punjab, although they now have a new option in the talented Cooper Connolly. Prabhsimran and Arya did splendidly well during the last campaign, and the Kings have no reason to split their partnership at the top of the order.

Middle Order: Mitchell Owen, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen

2025 IPL: Qualifier 2 - Punjab Kings v Mumbai Indians - Source: Getty

Mitchell Owen, as a dangerous pace hitter, can bat at No. 3. He will likely compete with Connolly for a spot, and PBKS could take a call depending upon the form of the two players closer to the campaign.

The rest of the middle order is expected to wear a similar look. Shreyas, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh and Marcus Stoinis will form the backbone, while Marco Jansen will add some much-needed power-hitting ability lower down the order.

Lower Order: Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson, Yuzvendra Chahal

2025 IPL: Final - Royal Challengers Bengaluru v Punjab Kings - Source: Getty

As far as the pace department goes, PBKS have no real reason to make any changes. Arshdeep Singh and Lockie Ferguson, if fit, will lead the pace unit, with Yuzvendra Chahal leading the spin attack.

Impact Player Options: Harpreet Brar, Yash Thakur

2025 IPL - Punjab Kings v Mumbai Indians - Source: Getty

When it comes to impact player options, Punjab have quite a few possibilities in front of them. Harpreet Brar is the obvious choice, having done well whenever he has gotten a chance for the franchise.

If Punjab want an additional pace option, which seems unlikely given how many all-rounders they have, Yash Thakur could come in. Thakur had a sensational Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign, in which he picked up 18 wickets even though his team didn't qualify for the Super League.

Edited by Sai Krishna