Under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, Punjab Kings (PBKS) reached the final for the first time since 2014 in the 2025 edition. With most of their core players retained, there were only four PBKS buys in IPL 2026 auction. The Punjab-based franchise released five players, including Glenn Maxwell and Josh Inglis, ahead of the retention deadline. With INR 11.5 crore left, PBKS utilized those funds to fill their gaps in pursuit of winning their maiden title.

Punjab Kings squad for IPL 2026: Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (c), Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Musheer Khan, Pyala Avinash, Harnoor Pannu, Suryansh Shedge, Mitchell Owen, Xavier Bartlett, Lockie Ferguson, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Yash Thakur, Vishnu Vinod, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Pravin Dubey, Vishal Nishad.

Let’s take a look at the latest entrants to the PBKS 2026 players list and how they can impact the team combinations.

Fresh Additions to 2026 PBKS Squad

2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣8️⃣ ➡️ 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣!

Ben Dwarshius returns to Punjab 🏠#IPL2026Auction pic.twitter.com/bunMOeqXg9

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) December 16, 2025

#1 Ben Dwarshuis

One of the most reputed all-rounders in Australia, Ben Dwarshuis, became part of the PBKS 2026 players list for an amount of INR 4.4 crore. Although he was a part of the Delhi Capitals as an injury replacement for Chris Woakes in IPL 2021, he didn’t feature in any of the games.

Can’t wait to see you at the Den, Big Ben 🦁#IPL2026Auction #PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/HHrEIXDbkQ

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) December 17, 2025

With 221 wickets in 177 games at an economy of 8.37, Dwarshuis can bowl in all phases of the game. He can also be an effective finisher due to his six-hitting abilities, while holding a strike rate of 141.80 and a top score of 66 in T20s. Ben Dwarshuis has also become a regular part of Australia’s T20I team, which will help him and the Kings remain calm in crunch moments.

More of this celebration at Mullanpur 🏹🔜#IPL2026Auction pic.twitter.com/vbgB5dzSJU

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) December 17, 2025

#2 Cooper Connolly

Another emerging Australian all-rounder, Cooper Connolly, will be part of the 2026 PBKS squad. He is famously known to help the Perth Scorchers win the Big Bash League 2022-23 title against the Brisbane Heat with a quickfire knock at the age of just 19. Fast forward three years, Connolly has made his international debut across all formats. The southpaw has made a great start to the Big Bash League 2025-26, smashing 136 runs in two innings at a strike rate of 200 for the Scorchers, with a top knock of 77.

Aussie southpaw 🤝 Jersey number 9⃣

We’ve seen this before! 🥹🫶#PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/kSQxq4Z1ll

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) December 23, 2025

Over the years, Cooper Connolly has shown the flexibility to score runs at any batting position. Preferably, he can be accommodated at No. 5/6 due to the presence of Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, and Marco Jansen as finishers. So far, the 22-year-old has garnered 782 runs at a strike rate of 141.15 and bagged 13 wickets in 37 T20s.

🚨 ̶B̶i̶g̶ 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥 breaking 🚨#IPL2026Auction pic.twitter.com/2RNO1RP1qM

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) December 17, 2025

#3 Vishal Nishad

Known as the mystery spinner, Vishal Nishad scalped seven wickets in four games of the Uttar Pradesh T20 League 2024 for the Gorakhpur Lions. Interestingly, after becoming one of the PBKS buys in IPL 2026 auction, Nishad has been included in UP’s Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 squad.

Welcome back to where you belong, Pravin 🫂#IPL2026Auction #PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/iwdiHNFvPO

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) December 16, 2025

#4 Pravin Dubey

The right-arm leg spinner was also part of the PBKS squad for the 2025 edition. In his solitary appearance, Dubey conceded 20 runs off two overs and took a single wicket. The franchise then released him, but they repurchased him for INR 30 lakh. Dubey bagged eight wickets in six games of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 at an economy of 7.34, with best figures of 3/15. With a fine form in the domestic circuit, he can be a backup option for Yuzvendra Chahal and Harpreet Brar.

Strengths and Weaknesses of PBKS 2026 Players List

Strengths

The key specialty of the 2026 PBKS squad lies in their batting department. The top four batters, Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer, and Nehal Wadhera, played a key role in the side emerging as the runner-up. Their ability to play at a high tempo sets a foundation for the middle order. Then, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, and Marco Jansen make up for an exciting trio of finishers, who can clear the fences from ball one.

What type of ‘𝐩𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧’ are you? 😂#PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/HCWBgXkDAk

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) December 23, 2025

Proven international performers, Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson, and Jansen will be the primary pacers for the side. All of them are capable of securing wickets with the new as well as the old ball. Meanwhile, the side has quality backups in the form of Xavier Bartlett, Ben Dwarshuis, Vyshak Vijaykumar, and Yash Thakur.

Weaknesses

One of the key weaknesses of the Punjab-based franchise is the lack of quality spin options. The highest wicket-taker in the IPL, Yuzvendra Chahal, will also need support at the other end, as he has been out of action for quite some time. However, Harpreet Brar and Pravin Dubey aren’t known to be wicket-takers, and the team could have problems on spinning tracks. The team management should have acquired an experienced spinner among the PBKS buys in IPL 2026 auction.

𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐲𝐞 𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐡! 🦁♥️#IPL2026Auction pic.twitter.com/Umuj9E4NrE

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) December 17, 2025

Overall, the Punjab Kings boast a powerful squad thatt can again top the points table and qualify for the playoffs. The presence of top-quality batters and pacers could help the franchise in clinching its maiden title. However, the spinners need to be proficient in their performances in turning the dream into reality.