Punjab Kings (PBKS) have unfinished business and will be aiming to complete that in IPL 2026. The well-oiled unit performed in perfect sync in IPL 2025 but narrowly missed out on laying their hands on the trophy for the first time after losing to RCB by 6 runs in the final. PBKS boast of a formidable squad in IPL 2026, with all departments comprising of promising and serious talents. Like many other teams, Shreyas Iyer and co. also face the problem of plenty – in this case picking overseas players in their line-up as they can only accommodate 4.
PBKS’s top-order, middle-order, and pace battery is more or less sorted and locked in. However, their biggest worry in IPL 2026 will be the lack of spin options, or rather, experienced spin options. Let’s take a look at the predicted XI for PBKS in IPL 2026 below.
Predicted PBKS playing XI for IPL 2026
| S. No. | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Prabhsimran Singh (wk) |
| 2 | Priyansh Arya |
| 3 | Shreyas Iyer (C) |
| 4 | Nehal Wadhera |
| 5 | Marcus Stoinis ✈️ |
| 6 | Shashank Singh |
| 7 | Cooper Connolly |
| 8 | Harpreet Brar |
| 9 | Marco Jansen✈️ |
| 10 | Lockie Ferguson✈️ |
| 11 | Arshdeep Singh |
Solid batting unit
Prabhsimran and Arya are all but confirmed to continue as openers for PBKS. The duo had a phenomenal run the previous season and were instrumental in providing the perfect start for the team on multiple occasions. Additionally, both Prabshimram and Arya have been involved in active cricket leading up to the tournament, having featured in domestic cricket regularly for their respective teams. The onus will be on the pair to once again give the flying start that PBKS will need.
After moving from KKR to PBKS, captain Iyer had a standout season in IPL 2025, where he amassed 604 runs in 17 matches, at an average of 50.33. He embraced his role at number 3 nicely and is expected to stick to that same position in IPL 2026 as well.
Another advantage that PBKS possess is their batting depth, with upto number 8 having the ability to bat effectively – not just by scoring runs through singles and doubles but via big hits as well. The likes of Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, Cooper Connolly, Marco Jansen form a formidable all-round unit who can not just deliver with the bat but can also excel with the ball.
Sorted pace unit but spin woes exist
PBKS’ pace attack will be led by none other than Arshdeep – who is India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is. The southpaw will be assisted by the fiery Lockie Ferguson and Marco Jansen – both stars who are seasoned and are used to playing in the IPL. For backup, the team can also use Stoinis.
However, it is in the spin department that PBKS could struggle. They do have Yuzvendra Chahal, who could play as an impact player. Apart from that, there is Brar and Connolly as well. However, the lack of experienced spinners could be a bane for the team in IPL 2026.
Full PBKS squad for IPL 2026
Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer, 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, Praveen Dubey, Vishal Nishad
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