The IPL 2026 is all set to kick off from March 28. So far, the schedule of only first 20 matches has been released due to state elections.
Ahead of the mega event, Punjab Kings (PBKS) performed puja at the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting, spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule, and wicket-keeper Brad Haddin were among the people who were present.
Earlier in the day, Australian star players Marcus Stoinis and Cooper Connolly officially joined the Punjab Kings` (PBKS) squad in Mohali.
According to the release, the players were seen in high spirits when they were welcomed at the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. Their arrival has added a massive boost to the Punjab Kings` lineup.
Ahead of the season, former Team India cricketer Irfan Pathan heaped praise on Shashank Singh.
“The way Shashank has been batting over the past period, and especially his performance last year, he played a crucial role and contributed significantly to Punjab`s success. Of course, we talk about the players scoring 500-600 runs, like Prabhsimran, Shreyas Iyer, or Priyansh Arya,” he said.
“But the runs Shashank scored, around 350, were just as crucial because he came in different situations and positions where confidence was key. Many times, you may fail while attempting big shots, but Shashank`s confidence drives him forward. If he performs similarly this season, we could see him play big cricket in the future,” added Pathan.
In the previous edition of the cash-rich league, PBKS ended up as the runners-up. They will now gear up to clash against the Gujarat Titans (GT) on March 31.
IPL 2026, Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans: Full Squads
Punjab Kings: Marcus Stoinis, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shashank Singh, Praveen Dubey, Lockie Ferguson, Shreyas Iyer, Ben Dwarshuis, Vishnu Vinod (WK), Xavier Bartlett, Yash Thakur, Azmatullah Omarzai, Vyshak Vijay Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Marco Jansen, Nehal Wadhera, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Harpreet Brar, Priyansh Arya, Suryansh Shedge, Cooper Conolly, Mitchell Owen, Pyla Avinash, Harnoor Singh, Musheer Khan, Vishal Nishad.
Gujarat Titans: Ishant Sharma, Jos Buttler (WK), Jason Holder, Jayant Yadav, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Tewatia, Luke Wood, Shahrukh Khan, Glenn Phillips, Prasidh Krishna, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Sai Kishore, Shubman Gill (C), Tom Banton (WK), Yarra Raj, Anuj Rawat, Sai Sudharsan, Manav Suthar, Kumar Kushagra (WK), Arshad Khan, Nishant Sandhu, Gurnoor Brar, Ashok Sharma.
(With ANI Inputs)
