Punjab Kings announce coaching changes after disastrous IPL 2026 season

Punjab Kings have confirmed the departure of fast bowling coach James Hopes and fielding coach Brad Haddin from their coaching staff ahead of the next Indian Premier League season.

The departures come after a disappointing IPL 2026 campaign in which the Punjab Kings suffered a dramatic collapse in the second half of the tournament. PBKS started the season undefeated and spent nearly a month at the top of the points table, only to plummet to finish fifth without making the playoffs.

Hopes and Haddin recently informed the Punjab Kings management of their decisions, with both coaches set to take up new assignments in Australian domestic cricket. Punjab Kings announce coaching departures. (Photo: X)

HOPE HADDIN JOIN AUSTRALIAN TEAMS

Hopes was appointed head coach of Queensland and the Brisbane Heat, while Haddin took charge of the New South Wales men’s team.

Hopes joined Punjab Kings along with head coach Ricky Ponting after the duo moved from Delhi Capitals a few seasons back. Haddin, meanwhile, was retained as Ponting took over from the previous coaching regime.

Both coaches were part of the support staff that helped the Punjab Kings turn their fortunes around under Ponting and captain Shreyas Iyer, including their impressive run in IPL 2025.

However, Punjab’s 2026 campaign fell apart after a strong start. One of the most visible problems during their slide was their fielding, with the team regularly dropping catches as their results began to deteriorate.

Vice-captain Shashank Singh became one of the focal points of the fielding struggles, with Punjab’s inability to sustain chances contributing to their problems during the second half of the season.

Hopes and Haddin are the latest members of Ponting’s support staff to leave the Punjab Kings. Spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule also left after the 2026 season to join the Indian men’s team in the same role.

Ponting will now have to rebuild a significant part of his support staff before the Punjab Kings begin preparations for the next IPL season.

– The end