Former India batsman Aakash Chopra said that Kings XI Punjab (PBKS) might face challenges with their bowling attack in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Chopra said PBKS retained most of its squad ahead of the auction and signed a number of players to fill the void left by the likes of Glenn Maxwell.

Kings have signed Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly for Rs 3 crore. They improved their pace options by signing Ben Dwarshuis for Rs 44 crore. However, the two Australians are unlikely to make it into the starting XI, with Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Rocky Ferguson and Yuzvendra Chahal forming the bowling attack.

I heard no good stories about Rocky Ferguson – Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra said in a video shared on his YouTube channel that Kings XI Punjab participated in the auction after retaining most of their squad. However, Chopra added that there are weaknesses in PBKS’s bowling plan as the team relies heavily on overseas pacers.

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“They bought only four players because they retained 21 players. When you have so many retained players, you don’t need to buy too much. Glenn Maxwell has left the IPL, so they had to bring in others. They brought in Cooper Connolly for Rs 3 crore, which I think was an amazing acquisition, along with Ben Devasius, Pravin Dubey and Vishal Nishad,” Chopra said.

“Apart from Ardeep Singh, they are relying more on fast bowling from overseas. They have picked Ben Devasius. Marco Jansen, who is in great form, is already available. I have not heard good stories about Rocky Ferguson. I don’t know if he will be available and fit, otherwise I am really high on Rocky,” he added.

But they still struggled in terms of bowling – Aakash Chopra

Chopra said Kings XI Punjab had options in the pace attack but added that the quality and balance of the bowling unit was not entirely convincing and despite the numbers, PBKS were slightly under-resourced in that department.

“They signed Mitchell Owen earlier and retained him. They also have another bowler in Xavier Bartlett, Azmatullah Umarzai, Vijaykumar Vishak – so it’s not like they are without bowlers, but their bowling is still a bit light,” he observed.

Rocky Ferguson’s fitness remains a concern for Kings XI Punjab. The fast bowler played just four games last season before a leg injury ended his season prematurely.

Injury concerns remain after the IPL. Ferguson recently picked up a calf problem while playing for the I-League T20 Desert Vipers, adding further uncertainty to his availability and fitness.

I feel they will strengthen the spin department – Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra feels that Kings XI Punjab missed the opportunity to strengthen their spin attack in the auction. Chopra said the lack of strong spin substitutes in Yuzvendra Chahal and Harpreet Brar could become a concern for PBKS as the season progresses.

“I feel they will strengthen the spin department further. The spin department has not been seriously upgraded in terms of the players they have brought in. They have a great bowler in Yuzvendra Chahal and Harpreet Brar is an all-rounder, but behind them, you will find that there is not much depth in the spin bowling. That is one thing that bothers them a bit,” Chopra said.

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