The Punjab Kings are gearing up for their first match of the IPL 2025 against the Gujarat Titans on Tuesday at the Narendra Modi Stadium. There’s some uncertainty about who will be in the starting lineup. Even with solid prep and a strong team led by Shreyas Iyer, assistant coach Brad Haddin mentioned they’re still figuring out their opening pair.
At a recent press conference, Haddin admitted it’s tough to nail down the best opening partnership. “We’re not sure who’s going to open yet. We’ve got guys like Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis who’ve done well before too. We need to find the right combo,” he said, noting the challenge of facing the strong bowling lineup of the Gujarat Titans, led by Kagiso Rabada and Mohammad Siraj.
Despite the uncertainty, Haddin feels good about how the team has prepared for the season. “The main thing for us since we got here is to get the players ready. We had a solid camp in Dharamsala where we got to know a bunch of our Indian players. We’re really excited about the talent we have. They’re athletic and ready to play some brave cricket,” he shared.
Under head coach Ricky Ponting and captain Iyer, the Punjab Kings are working to build a strong and adaptable team. Haddin emphasized that the team can switch things up based on what the match demands. “We want our players to play with courage and adjust to different situations. This is a fresh group, and we’ve got guys in every position who can step into different roles. We’ve got experience across the board,” he added.
Haddin praised Shreyas Iyer for his leadership, saying he’s helped create a culture of unity and hard work within the team. “The culture comes from our leaders. Shreyas Iyer is a driven captain with a lot of success in this format. He’s brought everyone together, and the staff and players are on the same page. We’re a tight-knit group, thanks to the standards and habits he sets,” Haddin said.
Download the CricInformer app
Take CricInformer with you. Get our app for cricket news and updates on your phone.