IPL 2026: Ponting misses auction; injured Shreyas Iyer to lead Punjab Kings

• Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting will miss the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi on December 16.
• Ponting's absence is due to his commentary commitments for The Ashes series in Australia.
• Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer is expected to lead the team's representation at the auction.
• Australia assistant coach Daniel Vettori, along with Justin Langer and Tom Moody, will attend the auction.

Why It Matters: Ricky Ponting's absence from IPL 2026 auction impacts Punjab Kings' strategy.