Punjab Kings Lose Two More Coaches as Ponting Hunts Replacements

Punjab Kings are searching for a new bowling coach and a fielding coach after two members of Ricky Ponting’s support staff resigned. Fielding coach Brad Haddin and bowling coach James Hopes have stepped down, according to Cricbuzz, after landing roles in the Big Bash League.

Third Exit Since IPL 2026

The two resignations mean three coaches have left the franchise since the end of IPL 2026. Earlier this year, Sairaj Bahutule, who also served as bowling coach, left to join the Indian men’s cricket team. PBKS now have to rebuild a significant part of their backroom unit before the next season.

Ponting Has the Final Say

The report said team management will make recommendations, but the final decision rests with Ponting. The Australian was brought in ahead of IPL 2025 and immediately guided the side to the playoffs for the first time since 2014. That season, Punjab went all the way to the final, where they lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. IPL 2026 was less successful: after a bright start, they finished fifth.

Even so, the past two seasons have marked a turnaround. After finishing as runners-up in 2014, PBKS did not end above fifth place for ten years in a row. The arrival of Shreyas Iyer as captain and Ponting as head coach changed that, and the team topped the points table in 2025. Ponting joined after leaving Delhi Capitals, while Iyer came in as the franchise’s most expensive signing ever at Rs 26.75 crore, the second-highest price in IPL auction history.

Choosing the replacements will be an early test for the management and Ponting as they try to keep the momentum of the last two seasons going.