India, Dec. 15 -- Punjab Kings enter the IPL 2026 mini-auction on the edge of not making a big enough blunder yet plug their holes. With only four spots to fill and a purse that is big enough to act, PBKS are basically choosing what kind of team they want to be in the margins: a side that wins match-ups through balance or one that keeps gambling in chaos.

The key is that their needs are already public - PBKS have said that they are hunting for an explosive middle-order batter, a reliable backup keeper, and an extra Indian bowling option.

PBKS have retained 21 players and released five - Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie, Kuldeep Sen, Pravin Dubey.

Their retained spine includes: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Neh...