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Punjab Kings · 08 Oct 2026

James Hopes and Brad Haddin Leave Punjab Kings Ahead of IPL 2027

Punjab Kings have suffered a significant coaching shake-up ahead of the IPL 2027 season, with two members of head coach Ricky Ponting's support staff

Punjab Kings have suffered a significant coaching shake-up ahead of the IPL 2027 season, with two members of head coach Ricky Ponting's support staff, James Hopes and Brad Haddin, leaving the franchise.

Hopes, who worked as Punjab Kings' fast-bowling coach, and Haddin, who was part of the team's fielding and support staff, recently informed the franchise of their decisions to move on. The development leaves PBKS searching for multiple replacements before the IPL 2027 auction.

The departures come at an important stage for Punjab Kings, with the franchise preparing for player retention decisions and the upcoming auction. Ponting will now have a major role in rebuilding his coaching team.

James Hopes Leaves Punjab Kings

James Hopes had been working closely with Ricky Ponting at Punjab Kings as the team's fast-bowling coach.

The former Australia all-rounder joined PBKS after previously working with Ponting at Delhi Capitals. Hopes had been an important part of Ponting's support structure and brought considerable experience from Australian and franchise cricket.

According to the Cricbuzz report, Hopes is expected to take up an opportunity in the Big Bash League (BBL). He has been appointed as the new head coach of the Sydney Sixers, giving him an opportunity to take on a senior coaching role in Australian domestic cricket.

His departure means Punjab Kings will now need to find a new specialist fast-bowling coach before IPL 2027.

Brad Haddin Also Exits PBKS

Former Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has also left Punjab Kings.

Haddin had been associated with the franchise for several seasons and was part of the coaching setup before Ponting took over. He continued with the team after the change in management and worked closely with the players.

During the 2026 season, Haddin was particularly involved with the team's young batting group and had spoken publicly about the development of players such as Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya.

Haddin is also believed to be moving towards a role in the Big Bash League. His departure leaves Punjab Kings looking for another coach to strengthen the fielding and wider support setup.

Sairaj Bahutule Had Already Left

The departures of Hopes and Haddin follow another major change in the Punjab Kings coaching setup.

Spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule resigned shortly after IPL 2026 and subsequently joined the Indian men's team coaching setup under Gautam Gambhir.

As a result, Punjab Kings now need to find replacements in three key areas:

This makes the upcoming weeks particularly important for Ricky Ponting and the PBKS management.

Ricky Ponting Now Has to Rebuild His Support Staff

Ricky Ponting remains Punjab Kings' head coach and will now be closely involved in selecting the replacements.

According to Cricbuzz, the franchise management may suggest candidates, but the final decision on the new coaching personnel is expected to rest with Ponting. The replacements could be finalised before the IPL 2027 auction in December.

Ponting therefore faces an important task before the franchise turns its full attention to the player auction.

The coaching changes could also influence the team's strategy for the new season, particularly in bowling development, fielding standards and player preparation.

Why the Coaching Changes Matter for Punjab Kings

Punjab Kings have invested heavily in building a competitive squad under Ponting and captain Shreyas Iyer.

The team made a strong push in the previous IPL cycle, but consistency remained a challenge. The franchise will now have to make sure the coaching changes do not disrupt its preparations for IPL 2027.

The timing is particularly important because the team will soon have to finalise its retention and release decisions before entering the auction.

A stable support staff could be crucial in helping Ponting implement his plans and develop the team's younger players.

PBKS Coaching Staff Faces Major Overhaul

Punjab Kings' coaching structure has changed significantly in a relatively short period.

The franchise now has to fill at least three important coaching positions before the new season.

Ponting's continued presence provides some stability, but the rest of the support structure will look considerably different when Punjab Kings begin their IPL 2027 preparations.

Hopes and Haddin's Departures Add to IPL 2027 Coaching Changes

Punjab Kings are not the only franchise making major coaching changes ahead of IPL 2027.

Several teams have already altered their coaching structures, including Chennai Super Kings appointing Zaheer Khan and Delhi Capitals bringing in Sourav Ganguly as head coach.

For Punjab Kings, however, the challenge is particularly significant because the changes involve specialist members of the support staff rather than just one senior coaching position.

What Happens Next for Punjab Kings?

The immediate priority for Punjab Kings will be finding replacements for Hopes, Haddin and Bahutule.

At the same time, the franchise will continue working on its player-retention strategy and preparations for the IPL 2027 auction.

Ricky Ponting will have to balance these responsibilities while ensuring that the team enters the new season with a settled coaching structure.

For now, Ponting remains at the centre of Punjab Kings' IPL 2027 plans, but a significant portion of his support team will need to be rebuilt.

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