Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Punjab Kings Lose Coaches Hopes and Haddin Ahead of IPL Season
Punjab Kings have lost two coaches, James Hopes and Brad Haddin.
Hopes is moving to coaching jobs in Australian cricket, and Haddin is taking charge of a team in New South Wales.
Spin coach Sairaj Bahutule had already left to work with India's men's team.
This means Punjab Kings need to find several new coaches.
One report says Ricky Ponting will make the final choice about possible replacements.
The team began IPL 2026 with six straight wins, according to one account, but its season later went poorly.
The articles disagree about whether Punjab Kings missed the playoffs or finished fifth.
They also describe the team's recent results differently.
Punjab Kings have parted ways with bowling coach James Hopes and fielding coach Brad Haddin.
Hopes is taking coaching roles with Queensland and the Brisbane Heat; Haddin is taking charge of the New South Wales men's team.
Spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule also left Punjab Kings to join the Indian men's team.
The departures leave at least three coaching vacancies, with Ricky Ponting to have the final say on potential replacements, according to one report.
The accounts differ on Punjab Kings' IPL 2026 finish: one says they missed the playoffs, while the other says they finished fifth.
- Who
- Punjab Kings coaches James Hopes and Brad Haddin, and previously Sairaj Bahutule.
- What
- Hopes and Haddin have left the franchise's coaching staff.
- When
- The departures were reported on Thursday; they follow the end of IPL 2026.
- Where
- Punjab Kings in the IPL; Hopes and Haddin are taking roles in Australian cricket.
- Why
- They are moving to other coaching assignments: Hopes to Queensland and the Brisbane Heat, and Haddin to the New South Wales men's team.
- Departing coaches
- James Hopes, fast-bowling coach; Brad Haddin, fielding coach
- Hopes' new roles
- Head coach of Queensland and the Brisbane Heat
- Haddin's new role
- Head coach of the New South Wales men's team
- Earlier departure
- Sairaj Bahutule left to become bowling coach of the Indian men's team
- Reported vacancies
- At least three coaching roles
- IPL 2026 start
- One account says Punjab Kings won their first six matches and spent nearly a month atop the points table.
- IPL 2026 finish
- The reports differ: one says Punjab Kings missed the playoffs; the other says they finished fifth.
