IPL 2026 Mini Auction: Who Will Punjab Kings Target? Full List of PBKS’ Potential Picks & Squad Needs
IPL 2026 Mini Auction: Punjab Kings enter the auction with a stable core, four vacant slots, and an ₹11.50 crore purse. PBKS are expected to target top-order overseas batters like Conway, Ravindra, or Faf du Plessis, along with all-rounders such as Cameron Green or Andre Russell to strengthen their squad.
Punjab Kings prepare for the IPL 2026 mini auction with four available slots and a focus on key overseas signings to strengthen their top order and all-rounder department.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) embark on the IPL 2026 mini auction journey equipped with a pre-determined foundation and a very limited maneuverability—opening up four slots and having a total of ₹11.50 crores available. The franchise is poised to concentrate its efforts on foreign players of high impact who can take up top order and all-rounder positions while the release of significant overseas names like Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis, and Kyle Jamieson, already done.
Reliable Core, Restricted Money Flow
The auction will be attended by PBKS with a somewhat fixed team, based on such players as Shreyas Iyer, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Marcus Stoinis, and Marco Jansen. The franchise will be able to make specialist additions instead of carrying out complete changes because of this stability. Due to the budget being so tight, Punjab will have to resort to cheaper purchases and keep themselves away from expensive bidding wars.
Two Overseas Slots Define PBKS Strategy
The team has two overseas slots open, and both are expected to be used on players who can directly impact the playing XI. PBKS will likely target an opener and a seam-hitting all-rounder—two of the most sought-after profiles in modern T20 cricket.
Search for a Reliable Overseas Opener
Even with Indian options like Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya, PBKS are likely to chase a dependable foreign opener. Names in focus include:
- Devon Conway – for powerplay solidity
- Rachin Ravindra – for flexibility and left-hand balance
- Faf du Plessis – a leadership-driven, high-experience option
PBKS could also look at Jake Fraser-McGurk, known for his explosive starts and aggressive tempo, aligning perfectly with Punjab’s historically attacking batting philosophy.
All-Rounder Hunt: Cameron Green, Marco Jansen & More
While PBKS already have Stoinis and Jansen, the franchise may still look for an additional world-class all-rounder. Cameron Green is expected to be on their radar for his middle-order hitting and seam-bowling versatility.
If PBKS opt for a high-risk, high-reward strategy, Andre Russell could become a blockbuster target. However, his fitness and workload concerns remain a major factor.
Efficiency Over Volume in the Auction Room
Punjab Kings, having a small amount of money and only a few places to fill, are most likely going to apply a precision-based auction tactic. Their probable scheme: bring two foreign players with a big impact, take an Indian batter as a backup, and get a specialist death bowler.
The performance of PBKS at the IPL 2026 mini auction will be determined how well they manage to mix ambition with the limitation of budget—thereby, one of the most tactical auctions in the recent years has been to be through their side.
