PBKS 2026 Retentions: Released, & Trade Players List Ahead of IPL 2026 Auction
The IPL 2026 mega auction is expected to reshape every franchise, and Punjab Kings (PBKS) will be under intense scrutiny as fans eagerly search for updates on PBKS 2026 retentions, released players, and possible trade moves. With a history of bold decisions and frequent squad rebuilds, Punjab Kings’ retention strategy ahead of the IPL 2026 auction could define their future for the next three years.
PBKS Retention Rules for IPL 2026 (Expected Format)
Although the BCCI has not officially released the IPL 2026 retention rules, based on previous mega auction formats, franchises are expected to be allowed:
- Maximum 4–5 retentions
- 2 Right to Match (RTM) cards
- Salary deduction slabs likely between ₹15 Cr – ₹18 Cr for the first player
- Teams may retain:
- Indian players
- Overseas players
- Uncapped Indian players
This means PBKS must make tough decisions between star power, leadership, youth, and long-term stability.
Expected PBKS 2026 Retained Players (Prediction)
Based on performance consistency, leadership, brand value, and future potential, here are the most likely PBKS retention picks for IPL 2026:
✅ 1. Shikhar Dhawan (If Active in 2026 Ecosystem)
- Leadership experience
- Proven IPL consistency
- Strong Indian top-order anchor
- Retention role: Mentor-Captain / Senior Batter
✅ 2. Liam Livingstone
- Explosive middle-order power hitter
- Handy off-spin option
- One of PBKS’s most impactful overseas players
- Retention role: Match-winner & Finisher
✅ 3. Arshdeep Singh
- India’s reliable left-arm pacer
- Exceptional death-over specialist
- Home-grown PBKS product
- Retention role: Bowling Leader
✅ 4. Sam Curran (If retained instead of RTM)
- All-round contribution
- Leadership quality
- Strong IPL & international profile
- Retention role: Premium All-rounder
👉 If only three retentions are allowed, then Arshdeep Singh, Livingstone, and Curran will be the safest core.
PBKS 2026 Probable Released Players List (Prediction)
Punjab Kings is expected to release several inconsistent or injury-prone players to free up auction capital.
❌ Likely PBKS Released Players Before IPL 2026 Auction:
- Harpreet Bhatia
- Rishi Dhawan
- Kagiso Rabada (If form remains inconsistent)
- Prabhsimran Singh (If replaced by a younger WK)
- Rahul Chahar (If outperformed by spinners)
These releases could free up ₹25–40 Cr in auction purse, giving PBKS massive buying power.
PBKS 2026 Trade Players List: Potential Trade Targets
Trades are becoming increasingly common before mega auctions. PBKS may actively target:
🔁 Possible PBKS Trade Targets for 2026:
- Ishan Kishan – Explosive wicket-keeper opener
- Tilak Varma – Young Indian middle-order star
- Shardul Thakur – Proven IPL all-rounder
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (High-Value Trade) – If any team reshuffles
Trade activity may heat up especially if PBKS chooses to release a big overseas name and invest in Indian youth.
PBKS 2026 Auction Purse Projection
If PBKS retains:
- 3 players → Estimated purse: ₹70–75 Crore
- 4 players → Estimated purse: ₹60–65 Crore
This gives Punjab Kings flexibility to pursue:
- Premium Indian batters
- Elite death-over pacers
- Explosive overseas all-rounders
PBKS 2026 Strategy: What Punjab Must Fix
To finally win their first-ever IPL title, PBKS must solve these long-standing issues:
✅ 1. Indian Batting Core
Punjab has often relied heavily on overseas batters. IPL titles are won with strong Indian top-order foundations.
✅ 2. Death Overs Bowling
Arshdeep alone cannot manage death overs. PBKS must buy one:
- Natarajan-type specialist
- Or a Starc/Boult-level pacer
✅ 3. Middle-Order Stability
Explosive hitters without anchors have hurt PBKS for years.
PBKS 2026 Best Playing XI (Early Prediction)
Based on current trends, a projected PBKS 2026 XI could look like:
- Indian Opener (Auction Buy)
- Shikhar Dhawan / Young Captain
- Indian No.3 Batter
- Liam Livingstone
- Sam Curran
- Indian Finisher
- Wicket-Keeper Batter
- Spinning All-rounder
- Arshdeep Singh
- Overseas Fast Bowler
- Indian Support Pacer
Punjab Kings 2026 Retained Player List:
| Player | Role | Price (INR) |
| Shreyas Iyer | Batter | 26.75 crore |
| Arshdeep Singh | Bowler | 18 crore |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | Bowler | 18 crore |
| Marcus Stoinis | All-rounder | 11 crore |
| Shashank Singh | Batter | 5.5 crore |
| Nehal Wadhera | Batter | 4.2 crore |
| Prabhsimran Singh | Wicketkeeper-batter | 4 crore |
| Priyansh Arya | Batter | 3.8 crore |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | All-rounder | 2.4 crore |
| Lockie Ferguson | Bowler | 2 crore |
| Vijaykumar Vyshak | Bowler | 1.8 crore |
| Yash Thakur | Bowler | 1.6 crore |
| Harpreet Brar | Bowler | 1.5 crore |
| Vishnu Vinod | Batter | 0.95 crore |
| Xavier Bartlett | Bowler | 0.8 crore |
| Suryansh Shedge | Batter | 0.3 crore |
| Pyla Avinash | Batter | 0.3 crore |
| Marco Jansen | All-rounder | 7 crore |
| Musheer Khan | Bowler | 0.3 crore |
| Harnoor Singh Pannu | Bowler | 0.3 crore |
| Mitch Owen | All-rounder | 3 crore |
Why PBKS 2026 Auction Will Be the Most Important in Franchise History
Punjab Kings have:
- ✅ Rebuilt multiple times
- ✅ Tested numerous captains
- ✅ Changed team culture repeatedly
The IPL 2026 mega auction could finally define:
- Their long-term leadership core
- Their Indian batting identity
- Their bowling attack for the next decade
One wrong retention decision could push PBKS into another 3-year rebuild cycle.
Disclaimer: This article is based on historical IPL auction patterns, expert analysis, and performance-based predictions. Official PBKS 2026 retention, release, and trade lists will be confirmed only after BCCI’s official announcement.
