Shreyas Iyer Joins Punjab Kings Management at IPL 2026 Auction
Shreyas Iyer's Role in IPL 2026 Auction
Abu Dhabi, Dec 16: Shreyas Iyer has made his mark at the IPL 2026 auction by joining the Punjab Kings' management, becoming the second player ever to do so, following Rishabh Pant. The auction is currently taking place at the Etihad Arena.
Previously, Pant participated in the auction as the captain of Delhi Capitals during the 2024 season, marking his return to the league after a serious accident. That season was significant for him as it was his last with the franchise, having been acquired by Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2025 mega auction.
After a successful IPL 2024 with Kolkata Knight Riders, Iyer was signed by Punjab Kings for an impressive ₹26.75 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction and was appointed as captain. His leadership was pivotal, leading the team to their second final in IPL history, although they fell short against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who claimed their first title.
As runners-up from IPL 2025, Punjab Kings have retained a solid core of 21 players, which gives them a strong foundation as they look to fill key positions with the ₹11.5 crore remaining in their budget. With four slots left to fill, including two for international players, the team is well-positioned to make strategic enhancements.
With a nearly finalized roster, Punjab Kings are focusing on minor, targeted upgrades rather than sweeping changes during the auction. Their primary goal is to secure a robust middle-order batsman to enhance late-game scoring and provide flexibility in the batting order.
Additionally, acquiring a reliable backup wicketkeeper to support Prabhsimran Singh and Vishnu Vinod is essential, ensuring coverage for injuries or tactical adjustments. The team also aims to bolster their Indian pace and spin bowling options by bringing in domestic talent, which is vital for navigating long tournaments and varying pitch conditions.
Current PBKS squad ahead of the IPL 2026 auction includes: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harpreet Brar, Suryansh Shedge, Vishnu Vinod, Xavier Bartlett, Yash Thakur, Mitchell Owen, Harnoor Singh, Musheer Khan, Pyla Avinash, Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson.