Punjab Kings have announced their complete list of retained and released players for IPL 2026 as they gear up for the mega auction under captain Shreyas Iyer. The franchise, coming off a strong 2025 season, has kept faith in its core unit while parting ways with a few big names. Here’s the full breakdown of the squad, purse details, and key changes ahead of the auction.
Punjab Kings IPL 2026 Retention: Full Squad Announced
The franchise has now announced its IPL 2026 retention list after a heart-wrenching IPL 2025 final in which Punjab Kings lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru by just six runs. In the year that PBKS will be led by Shreyas Iyer, the team hopes to not only improve on last year’s campaign but also to win the IPL title for the first time.
Last season, PBKS was the winner of the league stage thanks to their rigid and steady performances in all the 17 matches and then made a determined effort to get to the final. Their experience and depth in the squad along with strong team spirit were the main factors of their success which they are going to repeat.
A Strong Core Retained
Punjab Kings have retained most of their core group, including a mix of international stars and rising Indian talents. Skipper Shreyas Iyer continues to lead the side, with key performers such as Marcus Stoinis, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prabhsimran Singh, and Australian pacer Xavier Bartlett staying on.
The franchise has also shown long-term faith in its young prospects from IPL 2025, including Priyansh Arya, Musheer Khan, Suryansh Shedge, and Nehal Wadhera — all of whom are seen as future pillars of the team.
PBKS Release Five Players Ahead of Mega Auction
Punjab Kings have let go of five players, with notable exits including Glenn Maxwell and Josh Inglis. Their release opens opportunities for fresh acquisitions, though PBKS will have to make strategic moves with a relatively small auction purse.
PBKS Retained Players for IPL 2026
- Shreyas Iyer (c)
- Nehal Wadhera
- Priyansh Arya
- Prabhsimran Singh
- Shashank Singh
- Pyla Avinash
- Harnoor Pannu
- Musheer Khan
- Vishnu Vinod
- Marcus Stoinis
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Suryansh Shedge
- Mitchell Owen
- Arshdeep Singh
- Vijaykumar Vyshak
- Yash Thakur
- Xavier Bartlett
- Lockie Ferguson
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Harpreet Brar
Players Released by PBKS
- Glenn Maxwell
- Josh Inglis
- Aaron Hardie
- Kuldeep Sen
- Praveen Dubey
PBKS Auction Purse for IPL 2026
Punjab Kings will enter the IPL 2026 mega auction with ₹11.50 crore, the second-lowest purse among all teams — just above Mumbai Indians. Smart auction strategy will be crucial as they attempt to fill key gaps.
