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Fix the weak links with 11.50 crore: Strategic buys PBKS can make in IPL 2026 mini auction

Anurag Dasgupta

Players PBKS can buy in mini auction [Source: AFP Photo] Players PBKS can buy in mini auction [Source: AFP Photo]

The stage is set for next month, as the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini auction is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi. Before the marquee event, all ten sides have revealed their retention list with the unwanted players released and only the best in the business kept in the squad for next season.

One of the teams that did well last season and retained the majority of their squad was the Punjab Kings. The team reached the finale of the IPL 2025 season and hence, the settled squad was retained for the next season.

After releasing the players, PBKS have a budget of 11.50 crore for the mini auction and here's what they need to do for the auction.

What are PBKS' area of weakness before IPL mini auction

The Punjab Kings management retained all their best players, and the finalists of last season only have a couple of tweaks that the side has to make to claim their maiden IPL title, next season.

  • Last season, the team had all the bases covered, but there was one major chinks in their armour, and that was in the bowling department. The team had Yuzvendra Chahal and Arshdeep Singh as the lead bowlers, but they lacked the support from other end, and if one of the two bowlers get out of form, or get injured, there is no quality in their attack.
  • Also, while their batting is sorted, especially in the middle order, the team can do with another opener to support Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya. The duo was exceptional last season, but they can do with a backup.

Players PBKS can buy with 11.50 crore

Akash Madhwal

  • The team has enough money to go after a foreign pacer, but with Marco Jansen already in the squad, there is a feeling that Punjab Kings might go after an Indian name, and that could be Akash Madhwal. He did well for Mumbai Indians in the 2023 season, but then was roped in by the Rajasthan Royals.
Criterion
Data
Matches8
Dismissals14
Economy8.59

(Madhwal during his best IPL season 2023)

  • In his best season in the IPL, Madhwal led an inexperienced Mumbai Indians lineup and was the star pacer as the team qualified for the playoffs. He picked upo 14 wickets and had an economy of 8.59 as MI relied heavily on him.
  • With Arshdeep, the lead pacer Madhwal can be a brilliant backup as the Punjab side only needs backup options for next season.

Liam Livingstone

  • With Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell released, the team also needs a solid foreign option in the middle-order to complement captain, Shreyas Iyer, and the side can go after Liam Livingstone.
  • He didn’t have the best of IPL seasons in 2025, but the Englishman played key knocks, especially in the finals, and his big game prowess could come in handy for the Punjab side at 4, and 5. Also, the English all-rounder can chip in with the ball and that gives an added advantage to them and Livingstone could be the like-for-like Glenn Maxwell replacement as well.