Brad Haddin, the assistant coach of Punjab Kings, has sought to cut through the chatter around the franchise as they chased a turnaround in IPL 2026. After their latest setback\u2014a last-over defeat to Mumbai Indians that extended their losing run to five straight matches\u2014Haddin stressed that the group remains focused on its own preparation rather than outside noise.<\/p>\n
Speaking in Dharamsala on Thursday, May 14, following the match, Haddin said the dressing room environment has been positive. \u201cThe dressing room has been in a good place,\u201d he remarked at the post-match media interaction. \u201cI\u2019m not really keeping up with social media, so I\u2019m not aware of what\u2019s being discussed there. But from inside the camp, we\u2019ve just got to keep working out a way to win a cricket game. Whatever external noise exists, that\u2019s part of being a professional in sport.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that success in T20s requires mental readiness as much as skill. \u201cIt\u2019s not always only about what happens on the ground,\u201d Haddin said. \u201cYou have to manage what\u2019s happening around the team and make sure that when you step over the line you\u2019re in the right frame of mind to play. That\u2019s exactly what we need to do. And at this stage, there\u2019s no point dwelling on \u2018what ifs.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Punjab Kings had earlier addressed online speculation in the wake of the debate surrounding the team. On Wednesday, the franchise posted a message noting that criticism and banter are part of the game, but warned against fabricated reports used to generate engagement. \u201cCriticism, banter, and opinions are part of sport. Fake stories and made-up narratives for cheap engagement are not. We urge everyone to verify facts before spreading misinformation for attention or traction.\u201d<\/p>\n
The defeat in Dharamsala has further tightened Punjab Kings\u2019 path to the playoffs. After leading for stretches in the standings, they now face mounting pressure from Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals as the race for the fourth-place berth grows more competitive. While Mumbai Indians might have already been close to their end in the tournament, the win still offered relief\u2014especially with their own share of discussion swirling online.<\/p>\n
In the match at Dharamsala, Mumbai Indians were driven by Jasprit Bumrah. Both Suryakumar Yadav and regular captain Hardik Pandya were unavailable for the game. Pandya, in particular, has been at the centre of ongoing speculation about his future with the franchise. He missed the previous two fixtures due to back spasms, though he had travelled to Raipur\u2014only to be unable to take the field\u2014before moving back to training in Mumbai.<\/p>\n
When asked about whether there was any substance behind the rumours, Shardul Thakur responded at the post-match press conference that he expects Pandya to return soon. \u201cThere are lots of discussions that happen on social media\u2014some are correct, some are not. But these are also management decisions,\u201d Thakur said. \u201cIf we talk about the player, Hardik had an injury, so he couldn\u2019t travel for two games. He did travel to Raipur but wasn\u2019t able to play. Now he is training in Mumbai.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite missing key resources, Mumbai Indians completed the chase of 201. Tilak Varma was the standout in the middle order, coming in at number four and striking an unbeaten 75 off 33 balls, a knock that carried the visitors over the line. With three overs remaining, Mumbai still required 50 runs, but Punjab\u2019s bowlers were unable to land the right areas at crucial moments.<\/p>\n
Haddin acknowledged that Punjab Kings have been unable to manage pressure in recent defeats, which has prevented them from producing their best cricket when it matters most. \u201cWe just haven\u2019t been able to handle the pressure in the last few defeats,\u201d he said. \u201cWe haven\u2019t played our best cricket when we need to, which has been disappointing. We\u2019re as disappointed as you guys there with the way we started the tournament and where we are now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even with losses piling up, Haddin pointed to positives from the match against Mumbai Indians, describing them as \u201cgood signs.\u201d He insisted that the tournament situation is not yet closed for Punjab Kings. \u201cThe one thing to come out of it is that we\u2019ve got two games of cricket left, and we\u2019ve got to find a way. And now there\u2019s no tomorrow,\u201d Haddin added. \u201cThere\u2019s no talking about anything else\u2014we have to win our remaining games now. And that\u2019s as simple as it is.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Brad Haddin, the assistant coach of Punjab Kings, has sought to cut through the chatter around the franchise as they chased a turnaround in IPL…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":9886,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"IPL 2026 PBKS vs MI: Haddin, Thakur on rumours","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"PBKS\u2019 losing streak deepens after MI defeat\u2014Brad Haddin and Shreyas Thakur address rumours, urge focus on preparation in IPL 2026.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9887","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n