Punjab Kings assistant coach Brad Haddin admitted he is genuinely amazed by the standard of batting unfolding in the ongoing Indian Premier League. On Saturday at New Chandigarh, PBKS handled Sunrisers Hyderabad with control as they secured a comfortable win to register their third victory of the season. Chasing SRH’s 219/6, the chase was never truly in danger, and PBKS made it look routine after getting their starts.
Quick facts
- PBKS beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in New Chandigarh on Saturday.
- SRH posted 219/6 and PBKS chased it successfully.
- Openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh scored fifties for PBKS.
- SRH made 105 in six overs in the powerplay, with Abhishek Sharma contributing 74 off 28 balls.
- PBKS replied with 93 runs in their powerplay.
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had earlier helped Rajasthan Royals reach 97/1 after the powerplay versus RCB.
- Haddin said PBKS stayed calm after a fast start in the opening phase.
- PBKS’ third win came in four matches; one of those was a washout against KKR.
- PBKS sit second in the points table behind Rajasthan Royals, while both PBKS and RR remain unbeaten.
- Next, PBKS play Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.
Both sides struck with intent during the powerplay, but SRH set the tempo early. They raced to 105 in the first six overs, driven heavily by Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 74 off 28 deliveries. PBKS matched the aggressive rhythm in their own phase as they put 93 on the board in six overs, ensuring the chase had a strong foundation.
That fast-start mentality is becoming a familiar pattern in this year’s IPL, and Haddin’s reaction underlined just how much the game has shifted. He suggested that batters are more willing to attack from ball one, and that mindset is now a defining feature of the tournament. He also joked that he was relieved not to be asked to bowl during the opening overs, where batters are setting the tone rather than easing in.
“Stay calm” after the first six overs
After PBKS’ win, Haddin explained what the team did after the early burst. He pointed out that the key was remaining composed once the first spell of overs had passed, and then executing plans as the match unfolded. He highlighted that the middle overs were where the contest was effectively swung, adding that PBKS’ head coach Ricky Ponting had reinforced the importance of sticking to pre-set strategies.
Haddin also stressed that batters are expected to pounce on openings instead of overthinking. In his view, while momentum can look like it is constantly building, teams must stay aligned with the plan and then seize opportunities when they arrive. He framed it as a simple shift in approach: execute calmly, and apply pressure when a chance appears.
Strike rotation is no longer the priority
Haddin then turned to a broader trend he is noticing among modern batters. He said that when he speaks with batters about rotating the strike, many no longer treat it as essential. Instead, they appear more focused on taking their role seriously in the early overs—choosing bravery and intent in the first six covers while trusting that wickets should be pursued rather than playing solely for defensiveness.
He referenced recent matches to underline the point, including the game against Kolkata and the influence of Finn Allen and Cameron Green in those contexts. His message was consistent: the mindset is to seek wickets and keep the pressure on, not to merely protect the ball or wait for the game to drift into a safer phase.
With this being their third win in four outings—remember one game was abandoned due to a washout against Kolkata Knight Riders—PBKS have climbed to second spot in the points table. They sit behind Rajasthan Royals, who secured their own momentum by beating RCB on Friday night to finish with four wins from four matches so far. At the moment, PBKS and RR are the only two teams in the season that have not tasted defeat.
PBKS will now travel for their next match against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, carrying the confidence of a dominant performance. The encounter will be a timely test as they look to maintain their unbeaten run and keep pace with the league’s front-runners.
