If there is one IPL franchise that could truly benefit from the planning and investment made last season, it is Punjab Kings.

After an impressive 2025 campaign that saw them finish runners-up, Punjab head into the new season with a clear objective: go one better and lift the IPL trophy in 2026. Under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, the franchise has built a squad that blends young Indian talent with proven international match-winners, while maintaining strong faith in its core group of players.

One of the most notable aspects of Punjab’s strategy has been continuity. The franchise retained more players than any other team heading into the new season, signalling a clear commitment to long-term planning rather than constant rebuilding.

At the heart of that approach is their belief in young Indian players. Punjab have shown consistent faith in Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya and Nehal Wadhera, backing them through ups and downs and allowing them to grow into important members of the side.

This philosophy may extend to one of their new overseas recruits as well: Australian allrounder Cooper Connolly. There is a strong possibility that Punjab could use Connolly in a role similar to the one Josh Inglis played last season—an aggressive hitter at No.3 who can maintain the tempo in the middle overs. If that experiment works, Connolly could quickly become an important part of Punjab’s batting engine.

Another Australian, Mitchell Owen, offers a different dimension. Owen is more likely to slot into the middle or lower middle order, providing finishing power alongside established names.

Take a moment to consider the potential batting line-up: Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Connolly, Iyer, Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Nihal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen and Azmatullah Omarzai. It’s a batting unit packed with aggression, depth and flexibility.

The bowling attack, meanwhile, looks equally formidable.

Leading the pace unit is Arshdeep Singh, one of the most reliable death bowlers in the IPL. He is supported by Jansen, while the spin department is anchored by the ever-dangerous Yuzvendra Chahal. Add to that the economical Harpreet Brar, along with all-round options such as Stoinis and Omarzai, and Punjab have plenty of partnership-breaking options.

There is also serious depth in the pace reserves, with Lockie Ferguson (whenever he returns, after informing PBKS that he will join the squad later this season), Ben Dwarshuis and Xavier Bartlett available, while Connolly’s left-arm spin provides an additional tactical option.

Man for man, this looks like one of the strongest squads in the competition.

Which raises a simple question: with such a balanced line-up, why wouldn’t you back Punjab to make the final once again?