Cricket season is in full swing and teams are gearing up for the prestigious Vijay Hazare TrophyPunjab has made an important statement with the announcement of its team. On 22 December 2025 Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Released an 18-man lineup packed with a mix of international experience, IPL firepower and promising young talent. This year, all eyes will undoubtedly be on Punjab as they aim to clinch the coveted limited overs title, and their team selection reflects their serious intent.
Punjab’s squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 is a testament to the depth of cricket talent in the state. The selectors have clearly prioritized a balanced squad, comprising explosive batsmen, reliable wicketkeepers and a diverse bowling attack.
Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma lead Punjab’s batting unit
The batting department looks particularly strong, manned by some of the biggest names in Indian cricket. Shubman GillThe consistent performer across all formats and the current captain of India’s ODI team leads the charge. His very presence adds immense gravitas and class to the top order. connecting with him is dynamic Abhishek SharmaWhose all-round abilities and aggressive batting style have made him a formidable player in white-ball cricket.
The team also includes promising young talents Harnoor Pannu And Anmolpreet SinghWho will be eager to make their mark. Like Uday Saharan, a rising star and seasoned campaigner Naman Dheer, Sanveer SinghAnd Ramandeep Singh Add depth and flexibility, providing vital all-round options with both bat and ball.
Punjab have selected two capable wicketkeeping options: Prabhsimran Singh And Salil AroraBoth are known for their neat glovework and ability to contribute with the bat, providing tactical flexibility depending on match circumstances and team requirements,
Arshdeep Singh’s brilliant bowling attack
The bowling unit is equally impressive, with a mix of pace and spin that can trouble any opponent. The leader of the fast attack is undoubtedly Arshdeep SinghWhose expertise with left-arm swing and death overs makes him an important asset. He is complemented by the choice of Gurnoor Brar, Jashanpreet SinghAnd Sukhdeep BajwaWho will try to make an impact.
In the spin department, Harpreet Brar He brings his valuable left-arm orthodox spin, known for his control and ability to take important wickets. he has joined Raghu Sharma, Krish BhagatAnd Gaurav ChaudharyEnsuring a diverse spin attack capable of taking advantage of different pitch conditions.
The inclusion of Gill, Abhishek and Arshdeep is a big boost for Punjab. However, his full availability throughout the tournament is subject to his national commitments. ODI and T20 series to be played against India new zealandStarting from January 11, 2026. This potential clash could cause these key players to miss a significant portion of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which will be a challenge for the team management. His presence, even for a few games, will undoubtedly boost the team’s morale and performance.
Leadership void? Captaincy is yet to be announced
One interesting aspect of the team announcement is the absence of a named captain. While Gill, given his experience as India’s ODI captain, would be a natural choice, the PCA may hesitate in putting his name forward due to his potential national duties. This leaves open a tricky leadership question, which will likely be addressed closer to the start of the tournament or perhaps on a match-by-match basis depending on player availability.
Also read: Mumbai announces squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy; Rohit Sharma’s historic comeback
