The Punjab Kings, last season’s second-placed team, have kept their main players and have only let go of five players prior to the IPL 2026 auction. Consequently, the Punjab Kings’ purse became one of the main talks of the town surrounding the mini auction set for December 16.
Punjab Kings will be the second-lowest bidder at the auction with an amount of INR 11.50 crore. They have also released renowned players like Glenn Maxwell and Josh Inglis. Thus, the team needs two overseas batsmen, one being a wicket-keeper, for the lower-order. Besides, Punjab had the option of exchanging a few players but decided against it.
Targeting Players With the PBKS Purse for IPL 2026 Auction
Before getting into PBKS targets, we should comprehend what the franchise might have in mind for the IPL 2026 auction. They let go of a wicket-keeper, a spin-bowling all-rounder, a seam-bowling all-rounder, and a domestic leg-spinner and pacer.
Thus, Punjab Kings will have to search for replacements in those areas with the exception of another domestic pacer. The team management might, however, go for an Indian off-spinner to work alongside veteran Yuzvendra Chahal and add more dimensions to their spin attack.
Below are three PBKS targets for the overseas wicket-keeper roles.
Jonny Bairstow
The player from England was a part of the Punjab Kings team in IPL 2024 and his fast century was a major factor in the historic run chase against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. He was let go by the franchise before the auctions but may still be considered by them. As a substitute player, Bairstow proved his worth with the Mumbai Indians last year, accumulating 85 runs in two innings at an amazing strike rate of 184.78. His recent form has already given him a strong case for getting an IPL contract.
Jonny Bairstow IPL Stats
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest | Average | SR | Fours | Sixes | 50s | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52 | 52 | 1674 | 114 | 34.88 | 146.08 | 173 | 74 | 9 | 2 |
Tim Seifert
Like the T20 specialist batter, Tim Seifert, and the One-Day International player are both, and he is being treated as a divine character in all leagues and international matches. Seifert has the capacity to bat at different batting positions and thus he may occupy any one of the top six orders. He is a right-handed batsman who is recognized for his attacking style, and his enhanced skill against turning makes him an ideal replacement for Josh Inglis, who was a regular No.3 batter in IPL 2025, mainly the Indian Premier League.
Tim Seifert IPL Stats
| Matches | Runs | Balls | Highest | Average | SR | Fours | Sixes | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 26 | 23 | 21 | 8.67 | 113.05 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Finn Allen
Finn Allen might also be a guy that PBKS is eyeing for the future. Allen’s reputation goes hand in hand with his impressive strike rates thus he can be used as a power play enforcer. Not only does he have the ability to hit sixes with great ease but also his presence is felt and batters fear him the most on his day. In 2025, Allen made a whopping 811 runs with 30 as average and 201.24 as a strike rate that shows the ability to take any bowling attack apart. This includes his fast-paced innings of 151 runs off only 51 balls in Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025, emphasizing his win-the-match capability.
Punjab Kings will have a limited number of options when it comes to the pace-bowling all-rounder role. It is either that most of the big names are taken or have retired and the tight budget issue may also lead to a shortage of players on their target list. Nevertheless, one option is introduced.
Finn Allen ODI & T20 Stats
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest | Average | SR | Fours | Sixes | 50s | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 (ODI) | 21 | 582 | 96 | 27.71 | 93.27 | 78 | 14 | 5 | 0 |
| 52 (T20) | 52 | 1285 | 137 | 25.2 | 163.28 | 113 | 89 | 5 | 2 |
Gerald Coetzee
Gerald Coetzee can be a very good and reliable choice for a fast-bowling all-rounder thanks to his batting credentials. Coetzee will be a wise backup option to his fellow countryman Marco Jansen who provides No.8 scoring with an extra four overs of bowling. The right-arm quick’s knack for making batters uncomfortable and pushing them back in their crease would not only allow but also support other pace bowlers in Arshdeep Singh and Lockie Ferguson.
The PBKS target list will also include an explosive lower-order batter who can complement with a couple of overs of spin. Simply put, a like-for-like replacement for Glenn Maxwell.
Gerald Coetzee IPL Stats
| Matches | Innings | Wickets | Avg | Eco | SR | BBI | BBM | 4w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 14 | 15 | 31.47 | 10.37 | 18.2 | 4/34 | 4/34 | 1 |
Liam Livingstone
It is very possible that the Punjab Kings will again reach out to Liam Livingstone for replacing Maxwell, who is a significant loss. They would want the same Livingstone with the same performances during his brief stint from 2022 to 2024. His outstanding power-hitting and versatile spin bowling (he can bowl off-spin or leg-spin depending on the need) are making him one of the favored PBKS targets. Besides, with Marcus Stoinis of Australia, he can still work as a finisher at the bottom of the order.
Liam Livingstone IPL Stats
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest | Average | SR | Fours | Sixes | 50s | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49 | 47 | 1051 | 94 | 26.28 | 158.77 | 70 | 75 | 7 | 0 |
Sikandar Raza
Sikandar Raza, the other all-rounder in the spin-bowling category among the PBKS targets, has played for the franchise before. His emphatic white-ball cricket run continues as he captains Zimbabwe in T20I and plays in all the franchise leagues. His ability to steeds the innings under pressure and deliver boundaries at regular intervals, combined with bowling on tight lines, makes him an ideal candidate for the tricky pitches at Mullanpur, where the team has successfully defended the lowest total in IPL history.
The Punjab Kings have Yuzvendra Chahal, who is the highest wicket-taker in IPL history, and Harpreet Brar as their spin options, but still, a wrist spinner as a backup would be needed. They have released Pravin Dubey and therefore would benefit from having one more option.
Sikandar Raza IPL Stats
| Format | Matches | Runs | Highest | Average | SR | Fours | Sixes | 50s/100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | 9 | 182 | 57 | 26.00 | 133.83 | 12 | 8 | 1/0 |
Ravi Bishnoi
Currently the most apparent pick for an Indian spinner is Ravi Bishnoi, who might be among the PBKS targets in the IPL 2026 auction. Though it was anticipated that multiple franchises would bid for him in the auction, the Punjab Kings would be hoping to snag a deal.
Ravi Bishnoi IPL Stats
| Mat | Inns | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77 | 76 | 72 | 3/24 | 3/24 | 31.06 | 8.21 | 22.6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
