‘We Haven’t Been Able to Handle Pressure’: Brad Haddin Opens Up on PBKS’ Dramatic Slump

Punjab Kings are facing a serious crisis at the business end of IPL 2026 after suffering five consecutive defeats, with assistant coach Brad Haddin admitting the team has failed to cope with pressure in crucial moments.

PBKS’ latest setback came against Mumbai Indians in Dharamsala, a defeat that has left their playoff hopes hanging in the balance despite still occupying fourth place on the points table.

Speaking after the match, Haddin repeatedly stressed the need for the team to “find a way” out of their current slump.

“We just haven't been able to handle the pressure in the last few defeats,” Haddin said. “We haven't played our best cricket when we need to, which has been disappointing considering how we started the tournament.”

PBKS were once among the strongest teams in the competition. Their batting lineup, led by Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya and captain Shreyas Iyer, had looked unstoppable during the first half of the season. Their stunning chase of 264 against Delhi Capitals on April 25 appeared to establish them as genuine title contenders.

However, their form has collapsed since then. Former New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan believes the batting unit has lost both confidence and intent.

“Punjab just look like they've lost their way with the bat, lost their confidence,” McClenaghan said during the post-match analysis. “I don't think it was the surface, I just think it was a lack of intent from what we've seen previously in the tournament.”

Apart from batting concerns, PBKS’ tactical decisions have also come under scrutiny — particularly the handling of veteran spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.

Despite Chahal conceding just 12 runs in his first three overs against Mumbai, PBKS delayed his final over because left-handers Tilak Varma and Sherfane Rutherford were at the crease. When Chahal eventually returned in the 16th over, he was attacked for 20 runs.

Former India batter Abhinav Mukund criticised the move, calling it a recurring tactical flaw throughout the season.

“That’s the reluctance of Punjab we’ve been talking about from the start — the reluctance to bowl Yuzi Chahal to left-hand batters,” Mukund said. “Tilak Varma was struggling against him before that over, so why would you not bowl him earlier? That decision cost them the game.”

Mukund also pointed out that PBKS were forced to alter their usual strategy after using Vishnu Vinod as an Impact Player during the batting innings, leaving them without the luxury of an additional specialist bowler later in the match.

PBKS now face a must-win situation in their remaining league games against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants.

Haddin acknowledged the urgency of the situation and made it clear there is no room for further mistakes.

“We’ve got two games left and now there’s no tomorrow,” he said. “There’s no talking about anything else. We have to win our remaining games. It’s as simple as that.”

With momentum slipping away and pressure mounting, PBKS must quickly rediscover the fearless cricket that made them one of the tournament’s early frontrunners if they are to keep their playoff dream alive.