IPL 2026: Predicting Punjab Kings (PBKS) strongest playing XI

After finishing second in the IPL 2025, Punjab Kings (PBKS) used a measured approach at the IPL 2026 mini-auction, which took place on December 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

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The team only made four targeted purchases, spending over INR 8 crore and leaving INR 3.50 crore unspent, with a limited budget of INR 11.50 crore and only four spots to fill after keeping 21 players. Attending the auction table, skipper Shreyas Iyer emphasized the team's contentment with its solid core.

Cooper Connolly and Ben Dwarshuis were signed overseas players, and they also acquired two uncapped Indian players. Punjab Kings bought Cooper Connolly (INR 3 crore), Vishal Nishad (INR 30 lakh), Pravin Dubey (INR 30 lakh), and Ben Dwarshuis (INR 4.40 crore).

Here is the predicted Punjab Kings (PBKS) strongest playing XI of IPL 2026:

Punjab Kings have a fairly settled squad, and their playing XI is expected to be more or less the same. Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh gave them flying starts throughout the IPL 2025 and will be expected to do the same in the upcoming IPL season as well. Prabhsimran is also expected to keep wickets as well, with Josh Inglis being released before the auction.

Mitchell Owen is expected to bat at no. 3 and play a much larger role in the Punjab Kings franchise this season. Shreyas Iyer will continue to bat at no. 4, a spot where he scored more than 600 runs at almost a strike rate of 170.

Marcus Stoinis and Shashank Singh, along with Marco Jansen, will be the middle order, with Jansen and Shashank being the finishers. Stoinis and Jansen will also be able to bowl a few overs.

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Harpreet Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal are expected to be the two spinners in the PBKS XI. Brar might also be the impact sub for the Punjab franchise. Arshdeep Singh and Lockie Ferguson or Ben Dwarshuis will most likely be the pacers in the PBKS XI.

Vijaykumar Vyshak is expected to be the impact sub as the pacer. Musheer Khan and Cooper Connolly might be the impact subs when it comes to batters.

Predicted PBKS strongest playing XI of IPL 2026:

Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Mitchell Owen, Shreyas Iyer (C), Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson/ Ben Dwarshuis, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Impact Players: Vijaykumar Vyshak, Musheer Khan, Cooper Conolly.

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