Punjab Kings (PBKS) don’t look like a team searching for answers anymore. Six games in, 11 points on the board, and everything just seems to be falling into place for the Shreyas Iyer-led side. The batting has clicked almost every time, the bowling has found different contributors, and even when things haven’t gone perfectly, the structure has reaped them rewards. Just like it did in IPL 2025.
Heading into the Delhi Capitals (DC) clash, there isn’t a lot they would want to change. You don’t tinker with a side that is chasing 200-plus totals comfortably and defending big scores. The only talking point, really, is around Cooper Connolly. Is the Australian available after flying to Australia midway through the tournament?
Connolly back for Iyer’s PBKS
Last season, that No. 3 slot belonged to Josh Inglis. He gave Punjab tempo and allowed Shreyas Iyer to tackle spin straightaway. This year, Connolly has walked in and done all of that, and then some.
Cricket 29 seconds Predicted DC Playing XI vs PBKS: Not Prithvi Shaw, Abishek Porel to replace Pathum Nissanka?After a short trip back to Australia for fitness scans due to a back issue, Connolly has rejoined the squad and, as per the team camp, is “ready and raring to go” for this game. That should settle the only real selection doubt.
And it’s not like PBKS can afford to lose him right now. He’s their leading run-scorer this season with 223 runs in 5 innings at an average of 55.75 and a strike rate of 163.97. Two fifties, a highest score of 87, and, more importantly, the ability to go big after settling in.
His 182-run stand with Priyansh Arya against LSG was one of the defining partnerships of the season so far. What stands out is how quickly he has adapted in his maiden IPL season, especially against spin, where most new overseas batters take time.
He hasn’t bowled yet because of that back issue, but purely as a batter, he has already justified the INR 3 crore investment. PBKS aren’t missing Inglis one bit.
PBKS top run-scorers in IPL 2026
PlayerInnsRunsAvgSR50sCooper Connolly522355.75163.972Priyansh Arya521142.20248.232Prabhsimran Singh521152.75171.542Shreyas Iyer520852.00182.453A settled XI with roles locked in
At the top, Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya give Punjab one of the fastest starts in the tournament. In fact, they have operated at a run rate of 13.28, which is the best for any pair this year who have batted at least thrice. Arya’s powerplay strike rate of 258 is the best among players who’ve faced at least 50 balls. That’s ridiculous hitting, and it sets the tone.
Connolly at three ensures there’s no drop in tempo, while captain Iyer is striking at 182.45 this season. His matchup against Kuldeep Yadav will be key, but historically, Iyer has dominated him, striking at 173.68 in T20s.
Image Credit: AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi via AlamyThe middle order is functional rather than flashy. They need to come good in case of an early collapse. Marcus Stoinis, Nehal Wadhera and Shashank haven’t had massive game time, but they haven’t needed to. When they have, they’ve finished games. PBKS used Nehal Wadhera as an impact sub in recent matches, and that is likely to continue.
With the ball, PBKS low-key have a tremendous variety. Arshdeep Singh and Vyshak have six wickets each, while Marco Jansen and Xavier Bartlett provide a new-ball threat. Vyshak, in particular, has evolved, mixing lengths better and becoming a genuine death option. Yuzvendra Chahal remains the control bowler in the middle overs, even if the wickets haven’t piled up yet. Fascinatingly, Lockie Ferguson has joined the PBKS camp. The New Zealander didn’t join the PBKS as he took a paternity leave. Now, he is fit and available but isn’t likely to get into the playing XI straightaway.
Predicted Punjab Kings Playing XI vs DC
S. No.PlayerRole1Prabhsimran Singh (wk)Wicketkeeper opener2Priyansh AryaOpener3Cooper ConnollyTop-order batter4Shreyas Iyer (C)Middle-order batter5Marcus Stoinis Batting all-rounder6Nehal WadheraAll-rounder7Shashank SinghFinisher8Marco Jansen Left-arm pacer9Vijaykumar VyshakRight-arm fast bowler10Arshdeep SinghLeft-arm fast bowler11Xavier Bartlett Right-arm fast bowler12Yuzvendra ChahalLeg-spinnerPredicted Punjab Kings Playing XI vs DC: Is Cooper Connolly available for Shreyas Iyer’s PBKS? Inside Sport India.
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