IPL 2026: Biggest Surprise Team So Far, Fans Didn’t Expect
Led by Shreyas Iyer and coached by Ricky Ponting, Punjab Kings have developed a fearless and aggressive style of cricket.
In the IPL 2026 season, not many had Punjab Kings pegged as serious title contenders. For years, the franchise showed flashes of brilliance but struggled to maintain consistency during crucial moments. However, the strong momentum built in 2025 has clearly carried into this season, making PBKS one of the biggest surprise teams of IPL 2026 so far.
Before this resurgence, the franchise’s most memorable campaign came in 2014, when the team, then known as Kings XI Punjab, finished runners-up under the captaincy of George Bailey. That season was powered by explosive performances from Glenn Maxwell and David Miller, helping the side top the league table with 11 wins in 14 matches. Even in the final, Punjab fought hard and nearly chased down a massive target of 200, earning praise despite falling short.
Following a rebrand to Punjab Kings in 2021, the team focused on building a consistent core, leading to final appearances in 2025.
Punjab Kings once again surprised fans during IPL 2025. Under fresh leadership and a more balanced squad, the team topped the league phase before narrowly losing the final to Royal Challengers Bengaluru by just six runs. That season gave supporters renewed belief that the franchise was finally building a winning culture.
The confidence from that campaign has continued into 2026. Led by Shreyas Iyer and coached by Ricky Ponting, Punjab Kings have developed a fearless and aggressive style of cricket. Their batting unit, in particular, has become one of the most dangerous in the tournament. The team had already made headlines in 2024 after pulling off a record chase of 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders, showcasing their ability to thrive under pressure.
From being labelled inconsistent for years to becoming genuine contenders, Punjab Kings are finally looking like a team capable of rewriting their IPL history.
