India, March 27 -- The last time Punjab Kings reach the IPL final, all the way back in 2014 when they were still in silver and red and stylised as the Kings XI, the subsequent season was a disappointing follow-up. In 2015, they finished at the bottom of the table after being losing finalists, as they lost all the steam and couldn't get any momentum going.

The first goal for the PBKS batch of 2026 will be to avoid that fate - to remain competitive and spirited, and to head back to the finals and go one step further in search of a maiden IPL title. But with a number of uncapped Indian talents being key to Punjab's team, that is easier said than done: the task will be cut out for captain-coach duo of Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting as they t...