as soon as IPL 2026 auction The dust has settled, the composition of the teams is now decided in principle. However, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the Punjab Kings (PBKS) camp. The franchise, which made headlines by buying Shreyas Iyer for Rs 26.75 crore in the IPL 2025 auction, is now facing a potential nightmare: the unavailability of its captain and batting mainstay.
Since the auction window has closed, franchises will have to rely on the injury replacement protocol (signing players who are sold) or the trading window.
1) Mayank Agarwal
The most logical, albeit dramatic, solution to Iyer’s problem is a reunion with former captain Mayank Agarwal. Having surprisingly failed to sell in the IPL 2026 auction – possibly due to the high base price or the drop in T20 strike rate last season – Agarwal remains one of the most experienced free agents available in this pool.
Agarwal’s recent domestic form has been a reminder of his class for Karnataka. In the 2025–26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, he scored more than 400 runs, showing that he still has the hunger to dominate attacks. For PBKS, this makes complete sense. Agarwal understands the culture of the franchise very well. If Iyer is out, Punjab not only loses a batsman but also a captain. Agarwal can seamlessly integrate into the leadership group (supporting a temporary captain or taking over the captaincy himself) and stabilize the top order. His ability to structure his innings is similar to that of explosive batsmen. Prabhsimran Singh And it allows Shashank Singh to play freely, replicating the role that Iyer was destined to play.
2) Yash Dhul
If the Punjab team wants a straightforward tactical change – a right-handed No. 3 who can nurture the innings – then Yash Dhul is a prime candidate from the sell-off list. The 2022 U-19 World Cup-winning captain has often been seen as a red-ball specialist, which is why he was overlooked at the auction, but his recent white-ball development suggests he is ready for the big stage.
Dhull has looked sharp in the 2025-26 domestic season. During the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he played the role of a batsman perfectly for Delhi. He has strengthened his technique against fast bowlers and improved his strike rotation against spin in the middle overs. The signing of Dhull will help PBKS maintain their batting structure. He could slot straight into the No. 3 position, providing the stability needed to prevent a drop – a recurring problem for the franchise. He’s a low-risk, high-potential investment who is desperate to prove his critics wrong.
3) Abhinav Manohar
If the Punjab management decides that they cannot replace Iyer’s consistency, they may decide to emphasize aggression. Entry of Abhinav Manohar. It came as a shock to many when the clean-striking Karnataka batsman went unsold, especially considering the premium placed on Indian finishers.
PBKS often faces consistency problems in the middle overs (7-15), a phase which Iyer usually dominates through smart placement. Manohar controls it through rapier force. His ability to hit sixes with ball one makes him a dangerous asset against spin. His recent performance in the Maharaja Trophy, where he scored at a strike rate of around 170, proves that he is in form. His inclusion would require a change in the batting order – perhaps bringing in an all-rounder at No. 3 – but it would give Punjab a formidable lower-middle order. The finishing pair of Abhinav Manohar and Marcus Stoinis could potentially win the match from impossible situations, compensating the loss of their captain’s run volume through impact.
