The much-awaited IPL auction 2026 is just a handful of days away. The event is scheduled to take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi.
Unlike the last auction which was a mega auction, the upcoming one is a mini auction. However, there will be absolutely no dearth of star power in the event. According to reports, India star Shreyas Iyer will be leading the Punjab Kings delegation in the auction.
December 10 was the deadline for the IPL franchises to inform the 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. According to the existing rules, a maximum of eight team members can be present inside the auction hall, with an additional six permitted outside.
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Shreyas Iyer is currently sidelined with an injury and missed the three-match ODI series against South Africa earlier this month. He has not played a competitive game since the conclusion of the ODI series in Australia a few weeks ago.
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Meanwhile, Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting is unlikely to be present at the auction table. The former Australia captain is contracted with the Seven Network in Australia for the ongoing Ashes commentary, and the third Test begins the very next day – 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 squad and only have INR 11.5 crore left in the purse. They can sign up a maximum of four players including two overseas players.
Shreyas Iyer’s stellar leadership:
Shreyas Iyer joined Punjab Kings ahead of the 2025 season and made an instant impact. Leading his team from the front, he helped Punjab Kings qualify for the final for the first time since 2014. Iyer also impressed with the bat as he finished the tournament as his team’s highest run-scorer.
In 17 games, he scored 604 runs including 6 fifties. Iyer will be eager to take his team to its maiden IPL title in the upcoming season.
