Bengaluru, April 17 (NationPress) Punjab Kings assistant coach Brad Haddin asserts that the uplifting 16-run victory against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has fostered a renewed sense of confidence within the team.

As the critical phase of IPL 2025 approaches, he has emphasized the need for enhanced focus, improved execution, and more daring cricket from the Shreyas Iyer-led squad.

Punjab Kings successfully defended the lowest total in IPL history—merely 111 runs—by bowling out KKR for just 95 runs in Mullanpur. Haddin indicated that such a victory bolstered the players' faith in their process and their capacity to rebound from any scenario.

“I believe this win reinforces trust within the playing group,” Haddin stated on the verge of PBKS’ upcoming match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

“The players have begun to recognize that they can triumph from any circumstance. I think that is crucial as we progress further into the tournament.”

However, the Australian legend quickly noted that this triumph is merely a starting point, not an endpoint. “It was a remarkable win. Yet, at this stage in the tournament, it’s vital to ensure that we continue to improve with each game. Our victories are becoming increasingly significant given the tightness of the standings,” he remarked.

“Thus, for us, it's about cultivating a bit of momentum and playing some truly courageous cricket.”

Haddin is encouraged by the energetic composition of Punjab’s batting lineup, characterized by aggressive intent and the capacity to alter the match's direction within a few overs. Nevertheless, he accentuated the necessity for clarity of thought, particularly in high-pressure situations.

“We possess a highly dynamic batting lineup. Each player is aware of their individual role and can dominate the opposition,” he explained.

“But once they step onto the field, it's crucial to maintain a clear mind and execute effectively. One must be bold to progress deep into this tournament, and that’s the mentality we want our players to embody consistently.”

Reflecting on the Mullanpur pitch, which provided more assistance to bowlers than most venues this season, Haddin remarked that such conditions are beneficial for developing game awareness in young batters.

“One significant takeaway from this is the importance of understanding conditions. This week was likely different from what we’ve witnessed throughout the IPL, as there was more assistance for bowlers.”

“We emphasized to the players the importance of having a clear plan and taking the game deep. It’s essential for our players to recognize the need to play the game deeper, and that’s a key point we discussed.”