Hopes worked as the bowling coach and Haddin was the fielding coach of Punjab Kings.
Brad Haddin was the PBKS fielding coach, and James Hopes was the bowling coach of the Punjab Kings franchise. As per Cricbuzz sources, the two informed the Punjab Kings management only recently, and the franchise has started looking for replacements.
The reason behind their departure is that the duo have reportedly landed jobs in the Big Bash League (BBL) at home in Australia. Ponting is now in charge of choosing the new employees, and according to insiders, this decision may be made before the mid-December auction.
Hopes and Ponting were known to be close, and a few seasons prior, Hopes and Ponting had both joined the Punjab team from the Delhi Capitals. Haddin was a holdover from Trevor Bayliss's previous administration.
It is thought that Ponting is in contact with the PBKS management, and after Ponting has spoken with them, decisions or interviews with potential candidates will be conducted. One learns that although the management may recommend a few names, the head coach will ultimately make the final decision.
“The head coach will take the call,” said a source.
Punjab Kings, who had reached the finals in the IPL 2025, failed to achieve the same feat in IPL 2026, despite winning six of their first seven games.