Punjab Kings assistant coach Brad Haddin has thrown his full support behind head coach Ricky Ponting’s bold ambition of creating “the greatest Punjab Kings team of all time” as they gear up for IPL 2025. With their opening match against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad around the corner, Haddin emphasized the excitement and motivation within the squad.

“That kind of challenge inspires players,” Haddin said when asked about Ponting’s statement. “In today’s game, you have to push players to strive for greatness. We want them improving every day—better than yesterday, better than last week. Setting high standards is essential, and we’re confident with the squad we’ve assembled. They’ve been outstanding in training camps. Now, they just want to get on the field and show what they can do.”

Punjab Kings made headlines at the auction by acquiring Shreyas Iyer for INR 26.75 crore to lead a restructured team that combines experience—like Yuzvendra Chahal and Arshdeep Singh—with young talent such as Priyansh Arya and Suryansh Shedge. The squad also boasts a solid group of all-rounders, including Marco Jansen, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis.

When asked whether the Australian influence in the coaching setup was shaping the team’s culture, Haddin credited captain Shreyas Iyer as the key driver.

“We’ve got a captain who’s not only had success for India but also in the IPL and in this format,” he said. “He’s a motivated leader who’s brought everyone together. Players and staff are united under his leadership, and the habits and standards he sets are being followed by the whole group.”

Haddin also hinted at an aggressive and fearless style of play, especially during the powerplay, while keeping team combinations under wraps.

“With the impact player rule, the game has evolved. Powerplay scoring has gone up, and it’ll likely go higher this year,” he explained. “Our goal is to let players express themselves, play bravely, and respond to the game situation without overthinking.”

“This is a fresh squad, built through a strategic auction. We’ve got the right players for the roles we envision, especially for the first six overs. Fans can expect an exciting, dynamic brand of cricket at the top of the order.”