PBKS 2026: Sanjay Bangar Backs Harpreet Brar as Key to Punjab Kings’ Balance

Add as a preferred source on Google

Punjab Kings head into IPL 2026 with something they haven't had in years - continuity, clarity, and a squad that looks genuinely settled. After reaching the final last season, the focus now shifts from promise to payoff.

Speaking on JioHotstar's Game Plan - Know Your Team, Irfan Pathan and Sanjay Bangar broke down Punjab's squad, but one name stood out in Bangar's assessment - Harpreet Brar.

Harpreet Brar: More than just a match-up option

Bangar made it clear that Brar shouldn't be treated as a situational pick. "I don't think there's pressure on Yuzi as such because he bowls in the middle overs. They have released Glenn Maxwell, who gave them important overs in the powerplay. So who is going to be the powerplay spinner? That's where I think Harpreet Brar is a quality player."

He went a step further, backing Brar with conviction rooted in experience.

"When I was part of that setup, I had tremendous confidence in his abilities. Whenever he was given the ball for Punjab, he did the job."

In T20 cricket, teams often fall into the trap of using spinners purely for match-ups: left-hander vs left-arm spinner, right-hander vs leg-spinner. Bangar is arguing for something more fundamental: trust.

"Right-hander or left-hander doesn't really matter for him. So play Harpreet Brar... but play him in every match."

That's not tactical flexibility. That's role definition.

A settled core, finally

Punjab's squad, on paper, looks far more balanced than in previous seasons.

Irfan Pathan pointed out that the top order almost picks itself - Shreyas Iyer, Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya, followed by Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh. Add Marcus Stoinis as a finisher, and the batting unit has both structure and firepower.

"The team is pretty much sorted," Pathan said, highlighting how rare that has been for PBKS over the years.

The bowling unit, too, looks strong. Arshdeep Singh, Marco Jansen and Lockie Ferguson provide pace and variety, with enough depth in reserves.

But as always in T20 cricket, balance isn't built on stars alone. It's built on roles - and Brar fits into one that PBKS can no longer ignore.

Shreyas Iyer and the bigger picture

Pathan also backed captain Shreyas Iyer to carry forward his form from last season, dismissing the idea that IPL 2026 is a proving ground for his T20I return.

"Shreyas Iyer is a proven cricketer... I think there is a place for him in the T20 setup for Team India and he's aware of that."

More interestingly, Pathan highlighted Iyer's technical growth, recalling a specific shot against Jasprit Bumrah - gliding a yorker to third man with ease.

That's the kind of detail cricketers notice. Not just runs, but how those runs are made.

The X-factor question

Bangar raised a subtle concern around Priyansh Arya - a breakout name who now carries expectation.

"If he starts the season really well, then it's not going to be an issue. But if he has a run of low scores, then there could be some question marks."

That's the paradox of young talent. The same player who solves a problem one season becomes a pressure point the next.

Where PBKS stand

Punjab Kings are no longer a chaotic side trying to find combinations mid-season. They look like a team that knows its core.

Which is why Bangar's point about Harpreet Brar matters more than it seems. In a tournament obsessed with power-hitting and big names, championships are often decided by players who quietly do their job every game.

Bangar has seen that in Brar before. The question now is whether Punjab Kings trust him enough to make that role permanent.

Because sometimes, the difference between a finalist and a champion isn't a superstar - it's the player you stop rotating and start believing in.