The cricket season is in full swing and teams are gearing up for the prestigious competition Vijay Hazare trophyWith the announcement of the Punjab team, he made an important statement. On December 22, 2025 Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) has released a formidable 18-man squad brimming with a mix of international experience, IPL firepower and promising young talent. This year, all eyes will surely be on Punjab as they aim to clinch the coveted limited overs title and their squad selection strongly indicates their serious intentions.
Punjab’s squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 is a testament to the depth of cricketing talent in the state. The selectors clearly favored a balanced side featuring explosive batting, reliable wicket-keeping and a diverse bowling attack.
Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma headlined Punjab’s batting unit
The batting department looks particularly strong, anchored by some of the biggest names in Indian cricket. Shubman Gillconsistent performer across formats and current captain of India’s ODI team is leading the charge. His presence alone adds great weight and class to the top tier. Joining it is dynamic Abhishek Sharmahis all-round capabilities and aggressive batting style have made him a force to be reckoned with in white-ball cricket.
There are also promising young talents in the squad Harnoor Pannu and Anmolpreet Singhwho will be eager to make their mark. Uday Saharan, rising star and seasoned campaigners like it Naman Dhir, Sanveer Singhand Ramandeep Singh providing versatile options with both bat and ball, adding depth and flexibility.
Punjab has opted for two capable indoor storage options: Prabhsimran Singh and Salil Arora. Both are known for their clean glovework and ability to help with the bat, offering strategic flexibility depending on match conditions and team requirements.
Huge bowling attack with Arshdeep Singh
The bowling unit is equally impressive, with a mix of pace and spin that can trouble any opponent. The spearhead of the fast attack is unmistakable Arshdeep Singhwhose left-arm swing and death-over experience make him a vital presence. is completed with others Gurnoor Brar, Jashanpreet Singhand Sukhdeep Bajwawho is looking to influence.
In the spin department, Harpreet Brar He brings valuable left-arm orthodox spin known for his control and ability to take important wickets. He joins her Raghu Sharma, Krish Bhagatand Gourav Choudharyproviding a diverse spin attack that can take advantage of different pitch conditions.
The inclusion of Gill, Abhishek and Arshdeep is a big boost for Punjab. However, their presence throughout the tournament remains subject to their national obligations. India is scheduled to play against ODI and T20I series New ZealandStarting on January 11, 2026. This potential conflict could spell trouble for the team management, with these key players missing out on a significant portion of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Having them for a few games will surely boost the morale and performance of the team.
A leadership gap? The captain has not yet been announced
One of the interesting aspects of the squad announcement is the absence of a designated captain. While Gill is a natural choice given his experience as India’s ODI captain, his potential national duties may make the PCA hesitant to name him beforehand. This leaves open an interesting leadership question, which will likely be decided closer to the start of the tournament or perhaps on a match-by-match basis, depending on player availability.
Also READ: Mumbai announce squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy; Rohit Sharma makes a historic comeback
