Inside PBKS' reset: Haddin on vision, recruitment and identity

Punjab Kings may have left the Narendra Modi stadium empty-handed last June, but just their presence in the final was vindication of their reset and a good starting point for building towards a maiden trophy.

In a chat, PBKS assistant coach Brad Haddin reveals the thinking behind putting their dynamic squad together at the mega auction, the advantages of having Ricky Ponting, Shreyas Iyer's captaincy, a mid-season moment of truth, and the Josh Inglis situation.

Brad, first of all, how is it coming back to this group of players who got to the final last year. What have your first impressions been so far…

The first thing we have noticed is the excitement. Last year was a really new group. We put a squad together that we knew would be together for some time. The impressive thing we've seen straight away is that they've done a lot of work.

The camps they've done leading in have been high quality, with clear messages on how we wanted the players to present. To put first eyes on the playing group, it's been really refreshing. We had a lot of younger guys last year that got their first taste of IPL and they've come back really impressive young men, ready to play. They've got a much clearer understanding of their game, they've had some success with the franchise last year and in their domestic cricket. They've matured a lot, so it was really exciting to see the progress of the playing group over the last 12 months.

You've been with the team since the 2023 season. What shifted last year in terms of philosophy and mindset, as it was the first time Punjab Kings made the playoffs and final since 2014?

We were really lucky that Ricky [Ponting] and all the guys came in together with a really clear vision of the style of play they wanted Punjab Kings to play, and I think that was evident for everyone to watch. There was a lot of care from the coach and the captain around the playing group, a lot of trust put in the players, and the players responded by performing. They played a style of game that was entertaining and can challenge for trophies, which was the most pleasing thing.

To execute that style, you had to get recruitment right, especially at the start of a three-year cycle. What was the idea between Ponting and you heading into that mega auction before last season?

With any team, recruitment takes a lot of time. You recruit on talent, character, and what could complement your environment. We spent a lot of time in the previous season making sure we got the right players in. We needed a strong leader and we got that with [Shreyas] Iyer and Ricky. They had a clear vision of the style of play needed for Kings to be successful. This year, it was more about adding little pieces to the squad because we were so comfortable with what we did last year and the growth we got in everyone.

It seemed you put distinct faith in young Indian talent. You retained Prabhsimran Singh for INR 4 crore and then went hard to get Priyansh Arya (INR 3 crore) and Nehal Wadhera (INR 4.20 crore). At the end of the season, no team had more contribution from their Indian batters than you did. How do you view that?

It didn't surprise us. We were very clear on the talent we got in the auction and very measured in the style of play we wanted, which was shown in how the players performed. Our younger players had the opportunity to work with Ricky, which is always great for a young player. The one thing they got most of all is the care he has for every individual, and I think that rubbed off in how they played, performed, and contributed to the whole group and organisation.

You mentioned getting the right kind of leadership to complement Ponting. At what point in the season did you feel Shreyas Iyer's leadership shone through?

Day one. His leadership shone through from day one. He's really clear in his message around the playing group. We all see how world-class a batter he is. He can influence a game by the way he plays. Tactically, he's as good a captain as I've seen in the IPL. His record shows it—he's taken three different teams [DC, KKR and PBKS] to three different finals. But the one thing I like most about working with Shreyas is his care for his players. The care he has for players from 1 to 20 is what sets him apart.

Those guys who come into the squad and don't get opportunities are still part of the team's success. You don't go deep into tournaments or turn teams around just from your playing XI. It starts at the top with owners, board, and support staff. Off the field, he ensures everyone is contributing in their role. Ricky and Shreyas have been really clear on that, sharing the same care for everyone in the organisation. Everyone skips into training, everyone's happy to be around. It's a joyful occasion when the whole group's together, and that's how you learn to win tournaments and make great teams.

You had a dramatic six-day period in April last year where the team scored 245 in Hyderabad and didn't defend it, and then three days later defended 111. What were the conversations like in the dressing room around that time? How do you manage temperament during such ups and downs?

It's about trusting what they're doing and making sure we keep coming back to what the team's all about. You'll have days like in Hyderabad where you get beaten by an innings you rarely see [Abhishek Sharma's 141* off 55]. The leaders have ensured the group stays consistent with their tempo. They understand what's required to prepare and win matches. If they stick to that and keep trusting it, we'll get the results we need.

Ponting and Shreyas were locked in, and a playing style was laid down and adhered to throughout. But when a game like the first Qualifier happens, where the batters are restrained, how do you motivate them to stick to their guns with more knockout cricket to play, especially with young batters driving the style?

Trust. Trust that they've done all the work, that they played really entertaining cricket throughout the whole campaign last year. The reason they did that is their preparation was world class. Now go out, trust them, and play the game we love. Play what's in front of you because you've done all the work. There's no need to second-guess just because the result didn't go your way.

At what point as a coaching staff did you believe that you were going the distance?

Look at the game against KKR where we didn't make many runs at all [111]. There was belief in the squad that we were there to win that game. They didn't waver in their thoughts. The one thing they've done really well the whole time is they never think they're out of a game, and that's what we're pleased about with this group.

What transpired in the Josh Inglis situation? You released him due to availability, but two teams went deep until LSG eventually picked him for 8.60 crore.

That was really clear. He wasn't available for a certain amount of the tournament, and we had to make a decision on what was best for our squad.

Would he have been one of your retentions if there wasn't a doubt over his availability?

I don't think you can talk hypothetically. You just have to talk in fact. We had all the facts in front of us, and that's how we made the decision. There's no point talking about what-ifs. At this level, you can only deal with facts, and that's what we did.

How data reliant have Punjab Kings been?

That's part of the modern game, but data is a tool in your coaching journey. It's a tool you can use to get an advantage. Some players use it a lot, some just need minimal. It's on the coaching staff to ensure we're giving the right information that players can use to help them perform on the field.

You've got to understand the individual and give the right information to the right players. Some guys like a lot, some like short snippets, others like a coffee and talk more about the game. That's the beauty of the coaching group here. We've got it all covered, we're all singing off the same sheet. It's about making sure the individual understands, and from the staff's point of view, we understand what the individual needs.

Do you think season 2 blues could be a thing? SRH went with a similar batting ideology in 2024, reached the final, but saw a big dip in 2025. Do you as a coaching staff need to be wary of being found out with your playing style?

From any tournament, you've got to understand the trends of the game. You never want to stand still. It's important to take the good learnings from last season and add to them. That's what we're about, and that's what I think you'll see this season.