Punjab Kings have kicked off the Indian Premier League 2026 season in standout fashion under captain Shreyas Iyer, and the early results have lifted spirits inside the squad. Even with the ups and downs that come with every campaign, there’s a clear sense of togetherness in the dressing room as the team continues its unbeaten momentum.
Quick facts
- PBKS are unbeaten in IPL 2026 under captain Shreyas Iyer.
- Yuzvendra Chahal interacted with fans on X during a spontaneous session involving co-owner Preity Zinta.
- Chahal jokingly asked for a chance to open in one of the remaining matches.
- Zinta replied with a playful offer to let him open after the season ends, assuming the current openers agree.
- Chahal joined PBKS as a major buy ahead of the season for INR 18 crore.
- So far, Chahal has taken four wickets in seven matches and has an economy rate above 9.5.
- PBKS’s opening duo Arya and Prabhsimran have been delivering strong powerplay performances.
- PBKS’s chase against Delhi Capitals is described as the highest successful chase in IPL history.
- Orange Cap contention: Prabhsimran has 287 runs; Priyansh Arya has 254 runs in six innings; both strike near 200.
The lighter side of PBKS’s season showed up on X when leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal stepped into the comments during an impromptu fan interaction hosted by co-owner Preity Zinta. The exchange started with Chahal leaning into his trademark humour, pitching a request that sounded serious at first but was clearly meant as a joke.
In his post, Chahal asked for an opportunity to bat as an opener in one of the remaining matches this year. “Ma’am, if I can get a chance to open the batting in one of the matches,” he wrote, adding the idea that he wanted a shot at the top of the order.
That wasn’t the only time Chahal has popped up in social media banter with his quick wit, even though his bowling start has been mixed. Through the early part of the season, he has had to deal with a tough spell, reflected in his economy sitting above 9.5 and a wicket tally of just four from seven matches.
Still, the atmosphere around him remained upbeat, and the conversation quickly turned into a highlight when Zinta responded with equal playfulness. She joked that he could open after the tournament is over—so long as the current openers are comfortable with the swap.
Zinta’s reply made it clear it was all in good fun: she offered him a green light after IPL ends, saying that Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya wouldn’t mind sharing their spot. Chahal, meanwhile, has been one of the marquee names for PBKS off the field as well, having been purchased for INR 18 crore ahead of the season.
On the cricket side, though, PBKS’s engine in the batting has largely been driven by the opening pair of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran. Their form has stood out in the powerplay, with consistent early runs and pressure-building starts that have helped shape the matches from the first overs.
The duo have played a central role in the team’s unbeaten run, including a recent outing against Delhi Capitals. In that game, PBKS are noted to have completed the highest successful chase in IPL history, underlining how effective their early momentum has been in chase scenarios.
Orange Cap buzz
With batters finding rhythm, both openers are also in the hunt for the Orange Cap this season. Prabhsimran has scored 287 runs, while Arya has added 254 runs in just six innings, and both are striking at close to 200—numbers that fit the aggressive, high-impact style PBKS have shown at the top.
Chahal’s ambition to open is, for now, firmly part of the humour—yet it also reflects how he’s settling into a new franchise environment. Despite the shaky start with the ball, his experience and calm execution could still become a decisive factor for Iyer’s side as the tournament moves into its later stages.
