IPL 2026 Punjab Kings PBKS Best Retained Squad Players List

A core set to be retained in our best predicted retained squad and players list for Punjab Kings PBKS for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

10 years! Yes, it was 10 years back, Punjab Kings had not only entered the Playoffs of the Indian Premier League, but also played the final. Unfortunately, on both occasions, Punjab Kings had to face a defeat. But more than in 2014, the Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings will be supremely happy with their performance in 2025, purely because of the team combination they played the tournament with.

It has been an inspirational performance from the Punjab Boys, given there were almost 5-6 uncapped players in their playing 11 on most occasions. Right from the openers to lower-order to a couple of bowlers, Punjab Kings had their arsenal around uncapped players. Thankfully, they not only delivered, but also gave an opportunity for the management to build a team for the future. This is the best thing one can ask for, if not the trophy.

While the objective of winning the trophy was only partially achieved, the next big assignment for Punjab Kings shall be to finalize their retentions so that the team is well prepared to win the trophy next year in Bengaluru. But which players will the team retain and release? Even as the team performed so well, there are definitely laggards in the team that will be released. So let’s analyze the complete squad, and find out the best retained and released squad players list for Punjab Kings (PBKS) for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.

PBKS Set to Release Glenn Maxwell

If we talk about the core of 12-14 players that Punjab Kings will retain, we are looking at their best playing 11 who also played the final alongside a few more uncapped players. From their best 11, the team should retain Priyansh Arya, Prabsimran Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Harpreet Brar, and Vyshak Vijaykumar are among the uncapped players. These players did exceptionally well in the opportunity they got in IPL 2025, and deserve retention without a second thought.

Among senior Indian players, we are looking at three players, and those are Shreyas Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Arshdeep Singh. All three are expensive players, but PBKS won’t mind retaining any of these, including Chahal, who might face some scrutiny for not being able to justify his 18 Cr price tag. But PBKS may not want to change their winning combination, so Yuzvendra Chahal shall get one more year to come out with a blockbuster performance. 

Coming to Overseas players, PBKS have a good bunch in this category, and the team should retain the likes of Marco Jansen, Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, and Azmatullah Omarzai. Aside from these four solid Overseas stars, the team may contemplate retaining Lockie Ferguson too. With these five there, PBKS may look to release the likes of Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, Xavier Bartlett, and Mitchell Owen. These four didn’t play much of a role in IPL 2025, and PBKS may be better off getting better players in the Auction.

IPL 2026 Best Released Players List for Punjab Kings (PBKS)

1. Harnoor Pannu
2. Vishnu Vinod
3. Aaron Hardie (o)
4. Glenn Maxwell (o)
5. Mitchell Owen (o)
6. Xavier Barlett (o)

Now, having seen the priority 15 players that PBKS shall retain without any doubt, the team will also contemplate retaining more young players like Musheer Khan, Suryansh Shedge, Kuldeep Sen, Pyla Avinash, and Pravin Dubey. These five players have solid potential, and PBKS may continue to back them for another year. So, retaining a total of 20 players, including 5 Overseas player,s shall be on PBKS’ mind for IPL 2026.

IPL 2026 Best Retained Squad and Players List for Punjab Kings (PBKS)

Batters: Nehal Wadhera, Priyansh Arya, Pyla Avinash, Shashank Singh & Shreyas Iyer

WKs: Josh Inglis (o) & Prabsimran Singh

All-rounders: Azmatullah Omarzai (o), Harpreet Brar, Marco Jansen (o), Marcus Stoinis (o), Musheer Khan & Suryansh Shedge

Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson (o), Kuldeep Sen, Pravin Dubey, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Yash Thakur & Yuzvendra Chahal

So, that’s about the best retained players list for Punjab Kings (PBKS) for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. 

© IPLadda