The much-awaited IPL Auction 2026 is just a few days away. The event is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on 16 December.
Unlike the previous auction, which was a mega auction, the upcoming auction is a mini auction. However, there will be no dearth of star power in the event. According to reports, India star Shreyas Iyer will lead the Punjab Kings delegation in the auction.
December 10 was the deadline for IPL franchises to inform BCCI about the names of their representatives for the auction. Cricbuzz has reported that Punjab Kings have included the name of their captain Shreyas Iyer in their list. As per the current rules, a maximum of eight team members can be present inside the auction hall, with an additional six allowed outside.
Shreyas Iyer is currently out due to injury and missed the three-match ODI series against South Africa earlier this month. He has not played any competitive match since the end of the ODI series in Australia a few weeks ago.
Also Read: IPL Auction 2026: Foreign players who can become IPL fans’ favorites
Meanwhile, Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting is unlikely to be present at the auction table. The former Australia captain has been signed with the Seven Network in Australia for the ongoing Ashes commentary, and the third Test begins the very next day – on December 17 in Adelaide.
Additionally, Punjab Kings are unlikely to be very active in this year’s auction. They have retained most of their players in the team and are left with only Rs 11.5 crore in the purse. They can sign up a maximum of four players, including two overseas players.
Great leadership from Shreyas Iyer:
Shreyas Iyer joined Punjab Kings ahead of the 2025 season and made an immediate impact. Leading his team from the front, he helped Punjab Kings qualify for the finals for the first time since 2014. Iyer also impressed with the bat and finished the tournament as his team’s leading run-scorer.
In 17 matches he scored 604 runs including 6 fifties. Iyer will be eager to lead his team to its maiden IPL title in the upcoming season.
