Harpreet Brar Sets Sights on IPL Glory After Punjab Kings' Off-Season Camp

Brar's Aspirations for the Upcoming IPL Season

New Chandigarh (Punjab) - August 13: Left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar of Punjab Kings is already gearing up for the next Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The franchise's early off-season camp has provided him with a chance to reflect on the previous season's shortcomings and strategize for a stronger title pursuit.

During a five-day off-season training camp at the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, Brar emphasized the importance of capitalizing on critical moments that slipped away last season. He stated, “Every season brings its challenges. Sometimes our batting is strong, but bowling mishaps can lead to losses. Our goal is to approach each match with determination. Just as we achieved seven consecutive wins last season, we aim for eight or nine in the upcoming season. It’s about excelling in those pivotal moments. We will focus on these aspects during this camp and future ones. Every team aspires to win, and while I won’t make specific predictions, our focus will be on achieving the title,” Brar shared.

Punjab Kings had a stellar start to their 2026 campaign, winning their first seven matches, but they struggled to maintain that momentum, ultimately finishing fifth and missing the playoffs. The team had previously been runners-up in 2025, narrowly losing the final to Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six runs.

Brar, who participated in two matches last season, expressed that the disappointment of missing out after such a promising start is still fresh, but the players are committed to learning from their experiences. “The atmosphere was understandably somber because every team plays to win. Starting with seven victories out of the first eight matches, including one that was interrupted by rain where we were performing well, it’s natural to feel disheartened when we fail to qualify,” he remarked.

“As professional athletes, we are focusing on the areas where we fell short. We will address these issues and ensure they don’t recur in the future. As a cricketer, it’s essential to minimize mistakes daily. This is how we can enhance our performance,” Brar added.

The early camp, which commenced on August 11 and will conclude on August 15, marks the first of several off-season programs planned by Punjab Kings. Brar noted that the timing of this camp has given players an advantageous head start in their preparations.

“Having played in the IPL for eight years, I’ve never experienced a camp this early. It’s a positive development; we can begin our preparations for the next season right now, which is beneficial,” he stated.

Currently, six players are participating in the camp, including Brar, Shashank Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, Pyla Avinash, Praveen Dubey, and Nehal Wadhera, all working closely with the coaching staff led by Trevor Gonsalves.

While Brar's immediate focus is on the IPL, he is also eager to establish himself as a regular player in red-ball cricket. He believes his recent performances for Punjab in domestic competitions have bolstered his case.

The 30-year-old made his first-class and Ranji Trophy debut for Punjab in November 2025, achieving an impressive start with six wickets in his first match. He went on to take 23 wickets in just four matches during the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, including two five-wicket hauls.

Brar expressed his desire to play all formats of cricket and use the upcoming domestic season as a platform to push for an India call-up. “I aspire to participate in all forms of cricket, whether white-ball or red-ball. I know I’m among the top left-arm spinners, which I’ve demonstrated. I want to don the India jersey as soon as possible,” he stated.

“I’ve performed well thus far and will strive to take as many wickets as possible in the upcoming domestic season while also contributing with the bat. Factors like luck and pitch conditions are beyond our control, but I will do my utmost to ensure this season is successful,” Brar concluded.

Brar has proven to be a valuable lower-order batsman for Punjab alongside his left-arm orthodox bowling, and he believes excelling in both areas will be crucial as he aims to get closer to the national team.

With the domestic season on the horizon, Brar will have the chance to build on his breakthrough Ranji campaign while continuing his preparations with Punjab Kings during the extended IPL off-season.