Brad Haddin reveals Shreyas Iyer ignored Punjab Kings' game plan in IPL 2025 Qualifier 2

Punjab Kings (PBKS) assistant coach Brad Haddin has made colossal revelations about their Qualifier 2 battle with Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, involving captain Shreyas Iyer. Haddin revealed that Shreyas Iyer completely ignored the coaching staff’s suggestion.

Haddin revealed that the Punjab Kings coaches had planned to bat first against the Mumbai Indians after all their analysis and matchups, but Iyer made a bold call to bowl first instead, which stunned everyone, but that was the captain’s call, and they couldn’t change his mind.

Brad Haddin reveals how Shreyas Iyer ignored the PBKS plan in Qualifier 2

But then came the real magic. And the former Australian cricketer admitted that he was left amazed as Shreyas Iyer pulled off one of the most thrilling performances in IPL history. Chasing a massive 204, Iyer walked in at No. 2 and unleashed a masterclass in power-hitting in Ahmedabad.

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He smashed four sixes in the second-to-last over, turning the game in favor of Punjab Kings in dramatic fashion. The Punjab captain showed nerves of steel and finished the match with yet another six, remaining unbeaten on 87 off just 41 balls against the Mumbai Indians.

Shreyas Iyer led PBKS to a thrilling five-wicket win over MI in Qualifier 2 as the franchise stormed into only their second IPL final after the 2014 season. However, they lost the title to Royal Challengers Bengaluru on June 3, as they just fell six runs short of their dream to lift the maiden title.

I'll win the game: Brad Haddin recalls Shreyas Iyer's words

Brad Haddin said on the Willow Talk podcast, “So, you do all your planning for the game, and everyone says we bat first. Everything you're going through is your analytics. You're going through your matchups; have your team stuff. So, we're batting first, he says to him. But Iyer said no. He said, ‘We're bowling first.’ He is the captain who makes the choice he goes.”

The coach further noted, “He said, ‘No, I'll win the game; I'm going to bat at No. 2.’ So, we bowled first, and then the captain came out in the second innings and played one of the best IPL knocks I’ve ever seen to get us into the final. He just was in total control, but it's funny. As a coach, you do all your stuff, and the captain takes his own calls.”

Read Also: Pat Cummins openly admits he's happy India didn’t reach WTC Final

Brad Haddin feels Shreyas Iyer deserves India's captaincy!!

Haddin also feels Iyer didn’t get the recognition that he deserves ,the way he is leading the teams in the IPL. Notably, the Indian batter had previously led Delhi Capitals to the final and won the IPL 2024 as Kolkata Knight Riders captain.

The Aussie also backed Iyer to become India's captain in the future. He noted, “Our captain hasn't gotten enough credit, and I hope when they come down to pick an Indian captain, they really start to consider him. He was outstanding through the whole tournament.”

🚨it was shreyas Iyer's decision to chase in Qualifier 2🚨

Assistant Coach of Punjab kings said after going through all the analytics and matchups we decided we will bat first

Iyer came and said I'll bat 2nd and I'LL WINN THE GAME

He wants Iyer to be Indian captain too pic.twitter.com/DhtTw1El2A

— Sawai96 (@Aspirant_9457) June 10, 2025

Brad Haddin explains the pain and pride after PBKS lose IPL 2025 title to RCB

Meanwhile, Brad Haddin explained the emotions of Punjab Kings fans perfectly. He reflected on the long journey the team has had and how tough it still feels to lose the IPL final after making it more than a decade.

Haddin said that even when they sit down to review the season, the raw feeling of disappointment is hard to shake. Despite the pain, the PBKS assistant coach spoke about the pride in how far they’ve come, especially with many uncapped players stepping up.

Haddin signed off by saying, “We talk about where we came from as a team in a franchise, and we hadn't made the finals in 11 years. But it still sucks losing. Like you sit down and you do your reviews, and oh, yeah, we've come a long way, and you've got to take emotion out of your reviews. We've had a lot of uncapped players. We've got some good stories here, and you've got "f!@* it," and that'll always be there, but we're building towards something big.”

Read Also: RCB Up For Sale After Bengaluru Stampede As Diageo Set To Part Ways With IPL Franchise

Perfectly explained the emotions of Punjab fans about this season

Our Assistant coach brad haddin pic.twitter.com/lrQ4R0XReq

— Sawai96 (@Aspirant_9457) June 10, 2025