Gus Atkinson could be surprise big buy at IPL Auction 2026; PBKS may target Jake Fraser-McGurk — Sanjay Bangar Exclusive
Ahead of the IPL Auction 2026, JioStar expert Sanjay Bangar spoke exclusively to Firstpost, making predictions on an overseas batter Punjab Kings could target and a surprise big buy.
Former India batter Sanjay Bangar, who has held coaching positions at Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the past, feels that England pacer Gus Atkinson could emerge as a surprise big buy
in the Indian Premier League (IPL) Auction 2026 which will take place on Tuesday (16 December) at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The former Punjab Kings man, who led the franchise to its first IPL final in 2014, also said that PBKS could target Jake Fraser-McGurk as a replacement for Josh Inglis, who scored 278 runs for the franchise in IPL 2025 at a strike rate of 162.57, helping them reach the final.
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Sanjay Bangar makes IPL Auction 2026 predictions
Josh Inglis was released by PBKS ahead of the IPL Auction due to his unavailability during the 2026 season. While Josh Inglis is a part of the auction, the Australian wicketkeeper-batter is expected to miss most of the matches due to his upcoming marriage next year.
Former India opener and Punjab Kings coach Bangar feels PBKS would target Australian top-order batter Jake Fraser-McGurk in the IPL Auction 2026 to replace Inglis. Jake Fraser-McGurk was released by the Delhi Capitals last month.
“They would certainly look to buy an overseas top-order batter because that’s where Josh Inglis came and did a very good job for them in some of the games that he played,” JioStar expert Sanjay Bangar told exclusively to Firstpost. “I believe the players that Ricky Ponting has faith in are also a factor and that is the reason I feel Jake Fraser-McGurk can very well be the player who can bat in the top-order. Maybe at the top or even in the top 3, which can provide the powerful starts that Punjab would want at the top of the order. So Jake Fraser-McGurk, keep an eye on him.”
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On who could be a major surprise big buy in the auction, Bangar picked the name of England fast bowler Gus Atkinson, who has yet to play in the IPL. Atkinson has registered at a base price of Rs 2 crore, the same as Fraser-McGurk.
“Everyone is talking about big-ticket players. I feel Gus Atkinson goes a little bit under he radar,” Bangar said. “He is a type of bowler who can bowl you a lot of hard lengths with a lot of discipline, so keep an eye on Gus Atkinson as well.”
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The IPL Auction 2026 will start at 2.30 PM IST on Tuesday.
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Catch all the action from the TATA IPL 2026 mini-auction, December 16, 2:30 PM onwards, LIVE on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network.
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