IPL 2026: The excitement of IPL Next season is building ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi, and in a major development, Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer is expected to be physically present at the event.
Though currently recovering from a spleen injury that has kept him out of action since the ODI series in Australia, Iyer has been named among PBKS’s official representatives — a move that has delighted fans and boosted the team’s morale.
Shreyas Iyer to take charge despite injury setback
As per reports, all franchises were required to submit delegation names to the BCCI by December 10, and PBKS have included their skipper in the list. Under IPL auction rules, a maximum of eight team members can sit inside the auction hall, and six more can assist from outside. PBKS believe Iyer’s strategic brain and recent success as captain make his presence crucial.
Last season, Shreyas Iyer played a massive role in Punjab Kings reaching the IPL final after years of struggle, impressing not only with leadership but also with consistent performances. His appearance at the auction signals confidence ahead of the new season—and reassurance that his recovery is progressing well.
Ricky Ponting unlikely to attend
However, PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting is set to miss the event due to contractual commitments in Australia, where he is part of the commentary team for the Ashes series. The third Test begins on December 17 in Adelaide, leaving no realistic travel window.
Additionally, Punjab Kings have a limited purse of INR 11.5 crore and just four slots left — including only two overseas signings — meaning there may not be major changes that require the presence of the head coach.
Australian representation dominates
Interestingly, while Ponting may skip the auction, another high-profile Australian coach will be present. Daniel Vettori, assistant coach of Australia, has reportedly received special permission from Cricket Australia to travel mid-series — similar to last year’s arrangement during the Jeddah auction for BGT.
Other franchises will also have strong Aussie representation:
- Justin Langer—Head Coach, Lucknow Super Giants
- Tom Moody—Global Director of Cricket, LSG
Their presence adds star power to an auction that is otherwise considered “mini” in scale — but not in significance.
Why this auction matters for PBKS
Punjab Kings have often struggled with consistency in both squad balance and leadership. With Iyer leading the table, PBKS fans now sense a new era:
| PBKS Mini-Auction Snapshot | Details |
| Remaining Purse | INR 11.5 crore |
| Slots Available | 4 |
| Overseas Slots Left | 2 |
| Auction Venue | Abu Dhabi |
| Auction Date | December 16, 2025 |
Strategically plugging gaps, especially backup batting and all-rounder depth, will be critical for a title push in 2026.
Final Take
Shreyas Iyer’s decision to attend the IPL 2026 mini-auction despite injury reflects his growing stature as a leader and PBKS’s long-term reliance on him.
With expectations high after their impressive run last season, Punjab Kings will hope the event in Abu Dhabi marks the start of another strong campaign — possibly the one that finally brings them their first IPL trophy.