Punjab Kings Prepare for IPL 2026 with Rituals and New Additions

As the IPL 2026 season approaches, the Punjab Kings have initiated their preparations with a puja ceremony at the New International Cricket Stadium. Key coaches and new Australian players Marcus Stoinis and Cooper Connolly have joined the squad, enhancing their lineup. The team, which finished as runners-up last season, is gearing up for their season opener against the Gujarat Giants on March 31. This article provides insights into their preparations, past performances, and the complete squad for the upcoming season.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 25, 2026, 21:24 IST

Puja Ceremony at New International Cricket Stadium

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) conducted a puja ceremony at the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh in anticipation of the IPL 2026 season. Key figures such as head coach Ricky Ponting, spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule, and wicketkeeping coach Brad Haddin participated in the event. The team aimed to seek blessings for a successful season as they prepare for an exciting campaign.

Australian Players Join the Squad

In a significant boost, Australian players Marcus Stoinis and Cooper Connolly have officially joined the PBKS team in Mohali. They arrived on Wednesday to integrate with their teammates as preparations for the IPL 2026 season reach their final stages. The players were greeted with enthusiasm at the New International Cricket Stadium, enhancing the squad's strength with their international experience and youthful vigor.

Countdown to the Season Opener

Having finished as runners-up last season, the Kings have been diligently training over the past weeks. They are now focused on their much-anticipated season opener against the Gujarat Giants, scheduled for March 31, where they will play in front of their home fans.

Recap of IPL 2025 Final

In the previous IPL season, the Punjab Kings, under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, reached the finals but were narrowly defeated by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) led by Rajat Patidar. RCB set a target of 190 runs, bolstered by Virat Kohli's 43 runs. Despite a valiant effort from Shashank Singh, who scored 61 runs off 30 balls, Punjab fell short by six runs in their chase for the title.

Complete Squad for IPL 2026

The full roster for Punjab Kings in IPL 2026 includes: Arshdeep Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harnoor Pannu, Harpreet Brar, Lockie Ferguson, Marco Jansen, Marcus Stoinis, Mitch Owen, Musheer Khan, Nehal Wadhera, Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Pyla Avinash, Shashank Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Suryansh Shedge, Vishnu Vinod, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Xavier Bartlett, Yash Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Cooper Connolly, Pravin Dubey, Vishal Nishad, and Ben Dwarshuis.