The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 preparation has already started among all the 10 teams ahead of the IPL 2026 Auction in December. Last season’s runners-up Punjab Kings (PBKS) will look to go the extra distance this time. Below you will find the PBKS Target Players List 2026 IPL season.
The Punjab Kings were one of the best teams in the IPL 2025 season. They reached the final but eventually lost the game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
The Kings, under the leadership of captain Shreyas Iyer, have a more than capable squad and won’t look to make many changes.
Table of Contents
Punjab Kings Retained Players 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.
PBKS Released Players List
Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, Kuldeep Sen, Praveen Dubey, Kyle Jamieson.
PBKS Squad Analysis
Strength
- The Punjab Kings have a strong base already there before the auction. The opening duo of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh were fantastic.
- The middle-order also boasts serial talents including captain Shreyas Iyer, Josh Inglis, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh etc.
- Indian left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is one of the best pacer in the league with IPL’s greatest spin bowler Yuzvendra Chahal also at the franchise to bolster the pace and spin attack.
Areas to Improve
- Looking at PBKS Retained Players List and Released Players List, it is quite evident that the side has most of its playing XI covered. But the Kings will need to add more squad depth.
- All-rounders will be centre of attention for the Punjab Kings management in the upcoming IPL 2026 player auction. The likes of Aaron Hardie and Glenn Maxwell have been released, meaning there is serious need for improvement in the all-rounders department.
- As for the bowlers, Arshdeep Singh is the best pace bowler in the team and they will need to find a top quality pacer alongside him.
- Yuzvendra Chahal is a legendary spin bowler in the team but PBKS might also take his backup spin bowler.
PBKS Target Players 2026
| PLAYER | ROLE |
| Liam Livingstone | All-rounder |
| Wiaan Mulder | All-rounder |
| Dasun Shanaka | All-rounder |
| Anrich Nortje | Pacer |
| Shamar Joseph | Pacer |
| Satyanarayan Raju | Pacer |
| Shivam Shukla | Spinner |
| Kartik Sharma | Batter |
Punjab Kings Overseas Target Players
Liam Livingstone
With lots of holes to fill in the all-rounders department, former PBKS player Liam Livingstone might be the prime target for the Punjab Kings. He was a part of the franchise for three seasons before joining RCB. He had a great first season but couldn’t replicate the same form in the next two seasons. He has also shown lots of improvement in the T20 Blast and The Hundred 2025. If Royal Challengers Bengaluru released Livingstone, he could instantly be a target for the Kings.
Wiaan Mulder
Wiaan Mulder is not a name many would have shouted for Punjab Kings to sign. But the South African all-rounder is known for his power-hitting and controlled batting unlike other batting all-rounders. He was recently in the headlines for scoring 367 runs in an innings in a Test match vs Zimbabwe. He could be a bargain signing in the auction whom PBKS can target. Alongside his power-hitting, he is also a capable pace bowler, an ideal replacement for Marcus Stoinis.
Dasun Shanaka
The former Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka could be a great pick to fill the squad gaps in the team. Shanaka, alongside his all-round skillset, also brings leadership into the dressing room. He is not a typical hard-hitting batter but does possess the ability to strike at around 200 strike rate and is a handy medium pacer.
Anrich Nortje
South African pacer Anrich Nortje could be an ideal pick to improve the pace bowling department. He would be a perfect partner for Arshdeep, who likes to swing the ball whereas Nortje uses his pace to his advantage. He is also a great death overs bowler and would form a formidable duo with Arshdeep. He was part of KKR in 2025 but was injured and is set to be released. He could be a bargain pick.
Shamar Joseph
The West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph is going to be another pace bowler who fits perfectly as a partner to the Indian left-arm pacer. More than swing, Joseph is known for his ability to keep the batters tied with tight line and length. His prowess against Australia in Test cricket is a hint of talent he possesses. He can bowl at any phase of the game, making him an ideal third pacer for PBKS alongside Arshdeep and Marco Jansen.
PBKS Target Players Indian
Satyanarayan Raju
The Andhra Pradesh’s right-arm pacer Satyanarayana Raju would be a great addition to the Punjab Kings line-up to bolster the squad option among Indian pace bowlers. Raju was part of the Mumbai Indians but wasn’t utilized much and likely to be released. However, he continues to display his prowess in the Andhra Pradesh T20 league where he took 14 wickets in 7 in 2025.
Shivam Shukla
Shivam Shukla might be a great pick for the Punjab Kings as a backup for Yuzvendra Chahal. Shukla was included in the KKR team as a replacement for Rovman Powell in 2025 but is likely to be released. Shukla is known for his mysterious bowling. In the recent Madhya Pradesh T20 league, he picked 11 wickets in 7 matches with economy close to 8.
Kartik Sharma
To further bolster their batting, Punjab Kings might look to target one of the Punjab T20 league’s star batter Kartik Sharma. The wicketkeeper batter is known for his ability to smack the ball and there have been several teams in the past linked with him. However, he is yet to find a home in the IPL and Punjab Kings might be one of the teams interested in his services.
PBKS Probable XI after IPL 2026 Auction
Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Josh Inglis, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Liam Livingstone, Marco Jansen, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Anrich Nortje.
Impact Player: Kartik Sharma/ Musheer Khan.
NOTE: This is only our prediction and the actual PBKS Target Players List 2026 IPL might be different.
