They can enter the ground with 3 overseas

Former India player Sanjay Bangar has picked the Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) probable playing XI for IPL 2026. He opined that the last season’s runners-up can go with just three overseas players in their starting XI.

PBKS lost to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2025 final. They retained 21 players ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, and added Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Pravin Dubey and Vishal Nishad to their squad at the auction.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Bangar picked his Punjab Kings playing XI and expressed optimism about the Shreyas Iyer-led side’s chances of reaching the playoffs.

“I have full belief that they are a very strong contender to reach the playoffs. This squad has so much ability that they can enter the ground with three overseas as a playing XI. If I talk about the batting order, Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer at No. 3, Nehal Wadhera at No. 4, Marcus Stoinis at No. 5, and then Shashank Singh at No. 6,” the former PBKS head coach said.

“Marco Jansen at No. 7, Harpreet Brar at No. 8, Yuzvendra Chahal at No. 9, Lockie Ferguson at No. 10, and then Arshdeep Singh. That makes it the XI. I have kept only three overseas here. When the bowling comes, you can use another overseas fast bowler, which will make the bowling very strong, or else Azmatullah Omarzai can also be used,” he added.

Sanjay Bangar’s Punjab Kings playing 11 for IPL 2026: Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer, Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Lockie Ferguson, Arshdeep Singh

“The good thing last season was that he was able to convert 35-40 into 60-70 scores” – Sanjay Bangar on Punjab Kings’ opening combination heading into IPL 2026

In the same discussion, Sanjay Bangar was asked whether the opposing teams would come better prepared for the Punjab Kings’ opening combination of Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya in IPL 2026.

“It will depend on the individuals how the opening combination works. There is nothing like that with Prabhsimran. He has been playing for six or seven seasons for Punjab. He has scored a hundred as well, and was successful earlier as well. The good thing last season was that he was able to convert 35-40 into 60-70 scores. So he is an experienced player,” he responded.

The former India batting coach added that Priyansh’s place in the XI would depend on how he performs in the first few games.

“Priyansh Arya impressed a lot last season. The right-left combination is very good. The only cause for concern could be that we haven’t seen Priyansh Arya’s name that much in the headlines in domestic cricket. If he starts well, there isn’t much to worry about. However, if Priyansh Arya doesn’t start well, the Punjab Kings might have to make a change there,” Bangar observed.

Prabhsimran Singh amassed 549 runs at a strike rate of 160.52 in 17 innings in IPL 2025. Priyansh Arya scored 475 runs at a strike rate of 179.24 in 17 innings in the last season’s edition of the prestigious league.