after the dust settled ipl 2026 auctionAnd the teams are now locked in principle. However, clouds of uncertainty are looming over the Punjab Kings (PBKS) camp. The franchise, which made headlines by buying Shreyas Iyer for Rs 26.75 crore in the IPL 2025 auction, is now facing a potential nightmare: the unavailability of their captain and batting lynchpin.
Since the auction window is closed, franchises must rely on the injury replacement protocol (signing unsold players) or the trading window to fill the void.
IPL 2026: 3 potential candidates Punjab Kings could target if Shreyas Iyer misses out
1) Mayank Agarwal
The most logical, albeit dramatic, solution to Iyer’s problem is a reunion with former captain Mayank Agarwal. After surprisingly going unsold in the IPL 2026 auction – possibly due to the high base price or the drop in T20 strike rate last season – Agarwal remains one of the most experienced free agents available in the pool.
Agarwal’s recent domestic form for Karnataka is a reminder of his class. In the 2025–26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, he scored more than 400 runs, which shows that he still has the hunger to dominate the attack. For PBKS, this makes perfect sense. Agarwal understands the culture of the franchise inside out. If Iyer is out, Punjab loses not just a batsman but a captain. Agarwal can seamlessly step into the leadership group (supporting a stand-in captain or taking the armband himself) and stabilize the top order. His ability to structure the innings allows explosive batsmen Prabhsimran Singh And to play Shashank Singh freely, copying the role that Iyer was to play.
2) Yash Dhul
If the Punjab team is looking for a straightforward tactical swap – a right-handed No. 3 who can build an innings – Yash Dhull is the standout candidate from the unsold list. The 2022 U-19 World Cup-winning captain is often seen as a red-ball specialist, which is why he was overlooked at the auction, but his recent white-ball development shows that he is ready for the big stage.
Also read: IPL 2026 – 3 players RCB can sign to replace Tim David if he misses out
Dhull has looked sharp in the 2025-26 domestic season. During the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he played the role of an accumulator for Delhi very well. He has strengthened his technique against pace and improved his strike rotation against spin in the middle overs. The signing of Dhull allows PBKS to retain their batting structure. He could slot straight into the No. 3 position, providing the stability needed to prevent a collapse – a recurring issue for the franchise. He’s a low-risk, high-potential investment who is desperate to prove his critics wrong.
3) Abhinav Manohar
If the Punjab management decides that they cannot replace Iyer’s consistency, they may opt to double down on the aggression. Enter Abhinav Manohar. It was a shock to many when Karnataka’s clean-strike batsman went unsold, especially considering the premium paid to Indian finishers.
PBKS often struggles with consistency in the middle overs (7-15), a phase in which Iyer usually dominates through smart placement. Manohar overpowered him through brute force. His ability to hit a six from the very first ball makes him a dangerous player against spin. His recent exploits in the Maharaja Trophy, where he scored at a strike rate close to 170, prove that he is in touch. Bringing him in would require a reshuffle of the batting order – perhaps pushing an all-rounder to No. 3 – but it would give Punjab a formidable lower-middle order. The opening pair of Abhinav Manohar and Marcus Stoinis could potentially win the match in impossible circumstances, reducing the loss of their captain’s run total.
Also read: IPL 2026 – RCB may sign 3 players to replace Josh Hazlewood if he misses out
