Punjab Kings stuck in limbo as star pacer rules himself out for few IPL 2026 games

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 not long away, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) were hoping for a settled build-up this time. A situation where every player turns up. Instead, just days before the season, they find themselves recalibrating one key piece of their bowling attack. Lockie Ferguson has denied playing the initial games. Not because he is injured but because of his father duties.

Ferguson won’t be available for the initial phase of IPL 2026 by choice. The New Zealand quick has opted to stay back and spend time with his newborn son. The Kiwi speedster was retained by PBKS for INR 2 crore.

Ferguson had briefly left the T20 World Cup earlier to be present for the birth, but that window lasted barely a few days before he rejoined the squad as New Zealand had to play the final. This time, he is not rushing back.

“Just had a wee son, trying to spend as much time as I can at home and help the wife out,” Ferguson said in Auckland before the third T20I against South Africa. “I’ll have a few weeks off after this, before sort of heading to the later stages of the IPL and away for the winter.

Check Punjab Kings’ full IPL schedule here.

PBKS forced to reshuffle overseas combination

Ferguson’s absence doesn’t just remove a strike bowler. It forces Punjab to rethink their overseas balance right at the start of the tournament.

The franchise already has Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen and Azmatullah Omarzai pencilled in as core overseas picks. The fourth slot, which would ideally have gone to Ferguson, is now open for a few games.

Ben Dwarshuis and Xavier Bartlett are the immediate options. Dwarshuis brings experience and a strong T20 record, particularly in the Big Bash League, where he has been among the leading wicket-takers over the years. Bartlett, meanwhile, offers a slightly different skill set with his ability to contribute in both phases and chip in with the bat.

It is not a bad position to be in, but it is not ideal either. Ferguson’s role is specific. He is the enforcer, the one you turn to when you need pace through the middle or a breakthrough when things stall. Replacing that impact is not straightforward. The good news for PBKS is that their Indian core remains intact. Arshdeep Singh will lead the attack, with support from the likes of Yash Thakur and Vyshak Vijaykumar, who both are superb death bowlers.

PBKS IPL 2026 squad

Batters: Shreyas Iyer, Nehal Wadhera, Vishnu Vinod, Harnoor Pannu, Pyla Avinash, Prabsimran Singh, Shashank Singh

All-rounders: Marcus Stoinis, Harpreet Brar, Marco Jansen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Priyansh Arya, Musheer Khan, Suryansh Shedge, Mitch Owen, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis

Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Yash Thakur, Xavier Bartlett, Pravin Dubey, Vishal Nishad, Lockie Ferguson.

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