Hopes, who had previously been part of his former Australia team-mate Ponting’s staff at Delhi Capitals too, spent two seasons at PBKS. Haddin had even been part of the PBKS backroom since 2022, during Trevor Bayliss’ tenure as head coach.
PBKS have never won the IPL title despite coming close in 2014, when they lost the final to Kolkata Knight Riders, and in 2025, when they lost the title clash to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Ponting took charge as the head coach prior to IPL 2025 and the team found success straightaway, and he oversaw an outstanding start to the IPL 2026 season too as PBKS won six straight matches (to go with one washout). They lost their way after that, winning just one more and losing six to miss out on making the playoffs.