Punjab Kings (PBKS) will enter preparations forIPL 2027 with three vacancies in Ricky Ponting‘s coaching staff after confirming the departures of James Hopes and Brad Haddin.
Hopes, the franchise’s Fast-Bowling Coach, and Haddin, its Fielding Coach, have both moved into senior coaching positions in Australian domestic cricket. Their exits follow that of Spin-Bowling Coach Sairaj Bahutule, who has joined the Indian Men’s Team.
The franchise marked the Australians’ departure with two messages on X. One read: “Thank you for the wisdom, the passion and the memories in the den. 🦁🫶”
Thank you for the wisdom, the passion and the memories in the den. 🦁🫶 https://t.co/GUQ4hpZQDP
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) October 8, 2026
In a separate post, Punjab Kings wrote: “Until we meet again, Hopesy and Hadds. ❤️ You’ll always have a home in Punjab. 🦁”
Until we meet again, Hopesy and Hadds. ❤️
You’ll always have a home in Punjab. 🦁 https://t.co/1XjTEovOfm
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) October 8, 2026
Australian appointments bring coaching tenures to an end
Hopes has become Head Coach of Queensland and Brisbane Heat, taking responsibility for the state side and its Big Bash League franchise.
Hopes said in a statement announcing his appointment: “I wrestled with this decision as I was, and still am, very appreciative of being offered the Sixers role earlier this year. However, to have the opportunity to take on the head coaching program with Queensland and live in Brisbane again was too good to miss.”
Haddin, meanwhile, was appointed Head Coach of the New South Wales Men’s Team in March.
The former Australia Wicketkeeper-Batter said in a statement issued at the time: “NSW cricket has been an integral part of my life, and to rejoin the fold as Blues head coach is a proud moment for myself and my family. Wearing the baggy blue was incredibly special and gave me some of the greatest memories of my career.”
He added: “I am looking forward to working with our current crop of talented players to bring back an aura to NSW cricket and to have a team with a formidable and distinctive style of play we can all be proud of.”
Both coaches have already begun their Australian domestic commitments, with Queensland and New South Wales involved in the Sheffield Shield.
Punjab Kings must rebuild support staff under Ponting
The coaching changes place responsibility for several appointments with Ponting, who took charge of Punjab Kings ahead of IPL 2025.
Hopes had previously worked alongside Ponting at Delhi Capitals and followed him to Punjab for the 2025 season.
Haddin’s association with PBKS predates Ponting’s arrival. He joined the franchise during Trevor Bayliss’ tenure, initially serving as Assistant Coach before moving into the fielding role.
Bahutule, the third departing member, joined Punjab ahead of IPL 2026 after Sunil Joshi took up a position at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Bahutule subsequently accepted the Spin-Bowling Coach role with India under Head Coach Gautam Gambhir.
The franchise management is expected to consult Ponting on potential replacements, with appointments potentially settled before the IPL auction in mid-December.
A source told Cricbuzz: “The head coach will take the call.”
Coaching overhaul follows contrasting IPL campaigns
The personnel changes come after two sharply different seasons for Punjab Kings under Ponting and Captain Shreyas Iyer.
In IPL 2025, the franchise reached its first final since 2014, ultimately losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The previous final appearance had ended in defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders.
Punjab began IPL 2026 by winning its first six completed matches, alongside one washout, but its results deteriorated during the second half of the competition.
The team won only one of its subsequent seven matches, losing six and finishing fifth, outside the playoff places.
Fielding was among the areas that attracted attention during the downturn, with dropped catches contributing to the team’s difficulties.
Punjab Kings have yet to win an IPL title.
