PBKS assistant coach Haddin praises squad's hunger ahead of RR clash at home
Synopsis
Brad Haddin's media address reveals a Punjab Kings squad hunting for tournament momentum at the halfway mark. With openers setting up games and bowlers hunting wickets over economy rates, the franchise is building toward a back-end peak—a blueprint Ricky Ponting has clearly embedded. The Rajasthan clash will test whether aggression translates into knockout-stage readiness.
Key Takeaways
Brad Haddin , Punjab Kings assistant coach, addressed media on 27 April 2026 ahead of the final home game against Rajasthan Royals .
The opening pair has been "on fire," setting up games so effectively that the middle order operates in defined specialist roles rather than traditional batting order hierarchy.
Bowling success is now measured by wicket-taking at momentum-shifting moments, not classical economy rates, as 200-plus scores have become routine in IPL 2026 .
Head Coach Ricky Ponting has instilled an aggressive batting mindset, exemplified in the record chase in Delhi .
The match against Rajasthan Royals is scheduled for Tuesday, 29 April at 7:30 pm IST at the PCA Stadium , New Chandigarh .
Brad Haddin, assistant coach of Punjab Kings, on 27 April addressed the media ahead of the franchise's final home fixture of IPL 2026 against Rajasthan Royals at the PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh. Speaking on the team's aggressive trajectory and mid-tournament positioning, Haddin emphasised the squad's relentless drive to improve as the tournament enters its decisive phase.
Top order firing, middle order role-defined
Coming off a record-breaking chase in Delhi, Punjab Kings return home with an opening partnership Haddin described as "on fire". He attributed the middle order's modest individual scores not to underperformance but to tactical clarity: the openers have set up games so effectively that lower-order batsmen are fulfilling specialised roles—quick cameos of 15 off six balls rather than full innings. "They are doing everything the game requires," Haddin noted, signalling a shift from traditional batting hierarchies to match-situation demands.
Bowling success redefined beyond economy rates
With 200-plus scores now routine in IPL 2026, Haddin flagged that classical bowling metrics no longer capture effectiveness. Instead, Punjab Kings bowlers have excelled at identifying momentum-shifting moments—taking wickets when the match demands it rather than chasing economy rates in a hitting-heavy environment. "The six count is up. The one thing our bowlers have done really well is look to take wickets consistently," he said, underscoring a tactical pivot.
Ponting's aggressive mindset cascading through the lineup
Head Coach Ricky Ponting has instilled an attacking philosophy that manifested in the record chase in Delhi, where the first ball went for six over mid-wicket. Haddin indicated the same aggression will define the Rajasthan Royals encounter: two dynamic opening pairs, both franchises primed to dictate terms from ball one. "You've got two opening pairs that are so dynamic. They'll go after the game," he explained, framing the contest as a clash of batting temperaments rather than defensive cricket.
Tournament timing and the halfway mark
With the league halfway through, Haddin reiterated that IPL success hinges on peaking in the back half. While Punjab Kings are playing "some good cricket," he flagged lingering areas for refinement across batting, bowling, and fielding. The message: current form is a foundation, not a ceiling.
Punjab Kings face Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday, 29 April at 7:30 pm IST at the PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh.
Point of View
Middle order as situational operators, bowlers as wicket-hunters rather than misers. It's a departure from IPL orthodoxy—where batting order is sacrosanct and economy rates still matter. If this philosophy works, it signals a maturation in T20 tactical thinking. If it falters in the back half, it could be exposed as overthinking a format that often rewards simple aggression.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Brad Haddin say about Punjab Kings' top order?
Haddin described the top order as "on fire" and credited them with setting up games so effectively that the middle order has not needed to play long innings. He noted that openers have been super dynamic and have created winning positions for the team.
Why haven't middle-order batsmen scored big individual scores?
According to Haddin, the middle order hasn't had the opportunity to bat big innings because the top order has been performing so well. Instead, they are contributing in defined roles—quick cameos of 15 off six balls—which is exactly what the game requires in the current phase.
How is Punjab Kings measuring bowling success differently in IPL 2026?
With 200-plus scores becoming common, Haddin noted that traditional economy rates are no longer the sole metric for bowling success. Instead, Punjab Kings bowlers are focused on taking wickets at momentum-shifting moments to change the course of the match.
When and where will Punjab Kings play their final home game?
Punjab Kings will face Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday, 29 April 2026 at 7:30 pm IST at the PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh. This is the franchise's last home fixture of IPL 2026.
What mindset has Ricky Ponting instilled in the batting group?
Ricky Ponting has instilled an aggressive batting mindset in the squad. This was evident in the record chase in Delhi, where the first ball of the innings went for six over mid-wicket—a template the team plans to replicate against Rajasthan Royals.
