IPL 2026 Mini Auction: Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting will not be able to be present in the mini auction of Indian Premier League 2026 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on December 16, 2025. Ponting, who joined Punjab Kings as head coach last year, has very little hope of going to the mini auction for IPL 2026. Actually, Ponting is currently in Australia and is associated with the broadcast channel as a commentator in the Ashes series.

Why will Ponting not come in the mini auction?

According to a report, Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting is under contract with Seven Network for commentary in the Ashes series being held in Australia. The third match of the series between Australia and England is to be played in Adelaide from December 17, hence Ponting will not be able to participate in the auction. In the absence of Ponting, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer is expected to participate in the auction. Iyer is out of Team India due to injury.

News came out in Cricbuzz report

According to the report of Cricbuzz, the franchises have given the names of their representatives to BCCI for the auction, the last date of which was December 10. BCCI sources have revealed that Punjab Kings have included the name of captain Shreyas Iyer in their list. According to BCCI and auction guidelines, a maximum of eight team members can be present inside the auction hall. At the same time, six more people from the team can remain outside. According to sources, if there is no change in the plans at the last moment, then Shreyas Iyer is expected to be present in the auction to be held in Abu Dhabi.

Earlier, Gautam Gambhir had participated in the IPL auction as the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders and Rishabh Pant was also seen leading their delegation in the IPL 2024 auction for Delhi Capitals.