The auction of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is going to be held in less than one week, and all the franchises are very busy planning their strategies. PBKS is focusing on New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry, even as the IPL 2026 auction is around the corner, who could help them with their all-phase pace ask after a 2025 runners-up finish.
What Makes Matt Henry Part of PBKS’s Wish List at the IPL 2026 Auction?
In IPL 2025, PBKS had their primary fast bowlers such as Arshdeep Singh, Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, Xavier Bartlett, and Vijaykumar Vyashak holding the fort during the powerplay and along with the lone spinner Yuzvendra Chahal providing the control in the middle overs. They relied heavily on their pace attack for breakthroughs.
The only player who has taken his name back from the IPL 2026 auction apart from Glenn Maxwell is PBKS. Besides him, the franchise has released overseas fast-bowling all-rounder Aaron Hardie, Indian pacer Kuldeep Sen, and wicket-keeper batter Josh Inglis, which has resulted in the vacancy of one more overseas pacer. PBKS’s purse is currently INR 11.5 crores, which means they can still invest a considerable amount in Henry, who could be a very important addition to their team, as he would give the captain power to use his overs throughout all phases.
Punjab was the side that suffered the most due to lack of control in death overs, as they let the runs flow at an expensive rate of 11.30, which was the second highest after Rajasthan Royals’ 12.40. However, they were able to take the second most – 36 – wickets in the 16 to 20 over phase. Thus, the participation of a player like Matt Henry who could be useful in all phases would be a great enhancement to their pace attack.
2025 Matt Henry Exceptional White-Ball Form
The pacer has claimed a total of 45 wickets in 29 T20s at an impressive average of 15.97 and an economy of 7.73, including a superb five-wicket haul, and is thus enjoying amazing form across all formats. The white-ball numbers of this player are even more incredible as he has taken 31 wickets in the only 13 ODIs he played at an average of 18.58, which includes three four-wicket hauls and a fifer. Being the main player of the pacers’ trio formed by Lockie Ferguson and Xavier Bartlett in the PBKS line-up, his ability to take wickets has placed him on top. PBKS could benefit from his character as he could provide the much-needed stability to their bowling attack that they have been lacking for a long time.
It is a stronghold that the acquisition of PBKS Hall of Fame players like Henry leads to the formation of a power-packed pace unit through the IPL 2026 auction. He is also the main reason behind the Punjab Kings finally ending their 18-year wait for the elusive IPL title if he is able to replicate his form in the IPL and provide balance, reliability, and variety in the side.