Former India batsman Aakash Chopra said that Punjab Kings (PBKS) may face challenges from their bowling attack during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. Chopra said that PBKS had retained most of their squad ahead of the auction and made some signings to fill the gaps left by players like Glenn Maxwell.
Kings signed Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly for ₹3 crore. They increased their pace options by signing Ben Dwarshuis for ₹4.4 crore. However, both the Australian players are unlikely to make it to the playing eleven due to the bowling attack of Marco Johnson, Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson and Yuzvendra Chahal.
I’m not hearing good stories about Lockie Ferguson – Aakash Chopra
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that Punjab Kings entered the auction after retaining most of their squad. However, Chopra said that PBKS’s bowling plans are weak as the team is heavily dependent on foreign fast bowlers.
Chopra said, “They bought only four players because they retained 21. When you have so many retained players, you don’t need to buy much. Glenn Maxwell has left the IPL, so they had to get someone else. They have bought Cooper Connolly for Rs 3 crore, which I think was a great buy of Ben Dwarshuis, Praveen Dubey and Vishal Nishad.”
“They are more dependent on overseas fast bowling apart from Arshdeep Singh. They have brought in Ben Dwarshuis. Marco Jansen, who has been in great form, is already available. I am not hearing good stories about Lockie Ferguson. I don’t know if he will be available and fit or not, otherwise I rate Lockie very highly indeed,” he said.
But he is still a little light in bowling – Aakash Chopra
Chopra said Punjab Kings have options in their pace attack, but added that the quality and balance of the bowling unit is not entirely solid, leaving PBKS a little under-resourced in that department despite the numbers.
“They had Mitchell Owen earlier and they retained him. They have another bowler in Xavier Bartlett. Azmatullah Umarzai, Vijaykumar Vishak – so it’s not that they don’t have bowlers, but they are still a bit weak in bowling,” he said.
Lockie Ferguson’s fitness remains a matter of concern for Punjab Kings. The fast bowler featured in only four matches last season, his campaign ending early due to a foot injury.
Injury concerns continue even after IPL. Ferguson recently suffered a calf problem while playing for Desert Vipers in the International League T20, adding to the uncertainty over his availability and fitness.
I thought they would strengthen the spin department – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra believes that Punjab Kings missed the opportunity to strengthen their spin attack in the auction. Chopra said the lack of a strong spin backup for Yuzvendra Chahal and Harpreet Brar could become a concern for PBKS as the season progresses.
Chopra said, “I thought they would strengthen the spin department a bit more. Looking at the players they have brought in, there has not been any serious improvement in the spin department. They have an excellent bowler in Yuzvendra Chahal and Harpreet Brar is a useful player, but after him, you will find that there is not much depth in spin bowling. This is something that bothers them a bit.”
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