Punjab Kings’ Struggles Continue as Pressure Mounts
Punjab Kings’ assistant coach, Brad Haddin, has admitted that the team has struggled to handle pressure during their recent slump in IPL 2026. The team suffered a fifth consecutive defeat on Thursday night, losing to Mumbai Indians by six wickets in a tense match held in Dharamsala. Despite scoring a strong 200 runs, the Kings were unable to maintain their composure and fell short in the crucial moments of the game.
This loss marks another setback for the Kings, who had previously enjoyed a seven-match unbeaten run at the start of the tournament. Now, they find themselves in a must-win situation for their remaining two league matches if they are to secure a spot in the playoffs.
Haddin addressed the media after the match, expressing his disappointment with the team’s performance under pressure. He stated:
“We have just not been able to handle pressure in the last few defeats. We have not played our best cricket when we need to, which has been disappointing.”
He further added:
“We are as disappointed as you guys are with the way we started the tournament and where we are now. There is no hiding that we’ve got to play better.”
A Game-Changing Performance from Tilak Varma
The Kings looked to be in control for most of the chase of 200 runs, but a stellar performance from Tilak Varma changed the course of the game. Varma delivered an unbeaten innings of 75 runs off just 33 deliveries, leading Mumbai Indians to victory in the final stages of the match.
Haddin acknowledged that the Kings had done enough to keep their nerves in check before Varma’s late assault shifted the momentum in the opposition’s favor. He said:
“I thought we did really well to get to the total we did. We felt like we were in control of the game to the last three overs. It took a pretty special knock from Tilak to get Mumbai home.”
Bowling Concerns and Modern T20 Batting
Bowling has emerged as a major concern for the Kings this season, as they currently hold the worst economy rate of 10.77 and the second-worst average. Haddin defended the bowling unit, attributing the challenges to the evolution of modern T20 batting.
He explained:
“What you do see in this tournament now is some unbelievable power. Two hundred used to be a really, really good score. And now it is a score that teams are not intimidated by. We have just got to find a way.”
No Issues in the Dressing Room
Despite the team’s recent struggles, Haddin dismissed any rumors of issues within the dressing room. He emphasized that the environment remains positive and that the focus should remain on winning games.
“The dressing room has been good. Whatever the external noise is that is part of playing professional sport. We have just got to find a way to win a cricket game. There is no tomorrow now. We have to win our remaining games.”
Fielding Standards Decline
Haddin also acknowledged that the team’s fielding has been lacking throughout the tournament. He noted that all teams have experienced a drop in standards in the field.
“I think throughout the tournament, all teams, we have seen a drop in the standards in the field.”
Final Matches Crucial for Playoff Hopes
With the race for the top four becoming increasingly tight, the Punjab Kings now face immense pressure to win their remaining two league matches. Their ability to perform under pressure will be crucial in determining whether they can secure a playoff berth.
