Punjab Kings are set for a significant reshuffle of their coaching staff ahead of IPL 2027, with fast-bowling coach James Hopes and fielding coach Brad Haddin stepping down from their respective roles.
Their departures come shortly after spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule also left the franchise to join the Indian men’s team setup. The exits leave head coach Ricky Ponting with at least three coaching vacancies to fill before Punjab Kings begin preparations for the next IPL season.
Why Have James Hopes and Brad Haddin Left Punjab Kings?
Hopes and Haddin have both informed the Punjab Kings management of their decisions, with both Australians believed to have taken up or secured coaching opportunities in the Big Bash League.
Hopes recently became head coach of Queensland and the Brisbane Heat, while Haddin has taken charge as head coach of New South Wales. Their new assignments have paved the way for their exits from the IPL franchise.
Hopes had been an important part of Ponting’s setup at Punjab Kings after moving to the franchise alongside the former Australia captain from Delhi Capitals a couple of seasons ago.
Haddin, meanwhile, was retained from the previous coaching regime under Trevor Bayliss and had been responsible for the team’s fielding unit.
What Does It Mean for Ricky Ponting?
The departures put Ponting in charge of rebuilding a sizeable portion of his support staff before IPL 2027.
Punjab Kings are already in discussions over potential replacements, but the final decision is expected to rest with Ponting. The franchise may suggest candidates, although the head coach will have the final say on the new appointments.
“The head coach will take the call,” a source said.
The franchise is expected to finalise the new coaching personnel before the IPL 2027 auction in mid-December, giving Ponting limited time to establish a new support structure.
Sairaj Bahutule’s Exit Adds to the Changes
The coaching overhaul began with Bahutule’s departure at the end of IPL 2026.
Bahutule, who had joined Punjab Kings ahead of IPL 2026 after previously working with Rajasthan Royals, left the franchise to become India’s spin-bowling coach under Gautam Gambhir. He replaced Sunil Joshi in the Punjab Kings setup.
With Bahutule, Hopes and Haddin now gone, Ponting will need to identify replacements for the spin-bowling, fast-bowling and fielding departments.
Why Are Punjab Kings Making Changes After IPL 2026?
The coaching changes come after a season in which Punjab Kings experienced a dramatic reversal of fortunes.
PBKS began IPL 2026 strongly, winning their first six matches and remaining at the top of the points table for almost a month. They eventually reached 13 points after six wins, one no-result and a seven-match unbeaten run.
However, their campaign unravelled during the second half of the season. A combination of tactical decisions, problems with both bat and ball and dropped catches contributed to six consecutive defeats.
Punjab Kings recovered with a victory over Lucknow Super Giants, but their 15-point tally was not enough to secure a playoff place. Rajasthan Royals moved into the final playoff spot with 16 points, leaving PBKS fifth in the standings and one point short of qualification.
What Happens Next for Punjab Kings?
The immediate priority for Punjab Kings is to rebuild Ponting’s coaching team before the IPL 2027 auction.
The franchise now has to replace three experienced coaches while Ponting prepares for another attempt to turn a promising Punjab Kings campaign into a sustained playoff challenge.
Hopes’ departure is particularly notable given his long association with Ponting, while Haddin’s exit removes continuity from the previous coaching regime. The incoming coaches will therefore have to provide both specialist expertise and a fresh perspective.
For Punjab Kings, the coaching overhaul is more than a change in personnel. After a season that began with six straight wins but ended outside the playoffs, Ponting and the franchise will hope a revamped support staff can help address the tactical, bowling and fielding issues that contributed to their late-season collapse.