Shreyas Iyer likely to represent Punjab Kings at IPL auction in place of Ponting

Punjab Kings will head into the IPL 2026 auction without their head coach Ricky Ponting. Ponting will be busy with his commitments as part of the commentary team for the Ashes series in Australia. Despite his absence, the franchise seems confident about managing the auction as they have only four remaining slots to fill, including two overseas spots, and Rs 11.50 crore left to spend.

In Ponting’s absence, captain Shreyas Iyer will lead the Punjab Kings at the auction, representing the team at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena on December 16. Iyer played a crucial role in transforming the fortunes of Punjab Kings in IPL 2025. Under his leadership and with Ponting’s guidance, the team reached their first playoff in 11 years and ultimately made it to the final, narrowly missing out on their maiden IPL title.

Iyer was also the team’s leading run-scorer in IPL 2025, accumulating 604 runs at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 175. He will be supported by the new spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule, assistant bowling coach Trevor Gonsalves, and general manager Ashish Tuli, ensuring that the team is well-prepared for the auction.

Punjab Kings have already made some changes to their squad by releasing Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, and Kyle Jamieson among their overseas players. For the upcoming auction, the franchise is likely to focus on acquiring a backup Indian spinner, an overseas top-order batter who can also bowl, and a backup overseas pace bowler. With these signings, Punjab Kings aim to complete their 25-member squad while staying within their remaining budget of Rs 11.50 crore.

The auction will be an important event for the Kings to reinforce their squad, especially after the success of IPL 2025, where Iyer and Ponting’s partnership changed the team’s trajectory. The franchise is keen to maintain the momentum and build a squad capable of going all the way in IPL 2026.

Other teams’ auction plans and coaches

While Punjab Kings will have Iyer leading the team, Sunrisers Hyderabad will be represented by Australia’s assistant coach Daniel Vettori, who will attend despite the third Ashes Test starting the very next day in Adelaide. Vettori has arranged with Cricket Australia to participate in the auction, similar to last year, when he managed to attend the auction in the middle of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Sunrisers Hyderabad will have 10 slots to fill in the mini auction with a maximum remaining budget of Rs 25.5 crore. Vettori’s presence at the auction will be important to ensure that the team picks the right players to strengthen its squad for IPL 2026.

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Similarly, the Lucknow Super Giants will have their senior management and coaching staff present. This includes head coach Justin Langer, Global Director of Cricket Operations Tom Moody, bowling coach Bharat Arun, and members of the ownership group. Their presence is crucial for making strategic decisions and ensuring that the team can acquire the best possible players within their budget.

The IPL mini auction is a critical phase for all franchises as they aim to complete their squads, fill remaining slots, and stay competitive in the upcoming season. Teams like Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Lucknow Super Giants are focusing on strengthening their squads in key areas, including spin, pace, and top-order batting.

For Punjab Kings, the auction will be an opportunity to build on last year’s success. Shreyas Iyer’s leadership, combined with Ponting’s strategic planning from afar, is expected to help the team make smart choices in the auction. By targeting the remaining four slots carefully, the Kings hope to create a balanced and competitive squad capable of competing for the IPL 2026 title.

In conclusion, while Ricky Ponting will be absent, Punjab Kings will rely on Shreyas Iyer, key coaches, and management staff to make the right decisions at the IPL auction. Other teams, including Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants, are also preparing strategically to strengthen their squads. The mini auction promises to be an exciting event as all franchises aim to complete their teams and prepare for the upcoming season.