IPL 2025: Brad Haddin names top contender to battle Punjab Kings in the final

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In the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, Shreyas Iyer recently achieved what no other captain had done before,  guiding three different franchises to the playoffs. Taking over the reins of Punjab Kings (PBKS), Iyer led the team to a long-awaited playoff berth, ending an 11-year drought that stretched back to 2014.

Punjab, long plagued by inconsistency and leadership changes, found stability and direction under Iyer’s captaincy. Throughout the league stage, PBKS displayed a newfound consistency, playing well-balanced cricket with both bat and ball. The team finally clicked as a unit, and Iyer’s composed leadership was central to their revival. PBKS sealed their playoff qualification with a vital victory over Rajasthan Royals. In a high-pressure match, Iyer’s tactical decisions and cool-headed approach on the field stood out. His ability to instill belief and composure in the team helped them deliver when it mattered most.

Punjab assistant coach Brad Haddin, speaking on the LiSTNR Podcast, offered an insightful and candid perspective into his team’s journey in the tournament and shared thoughts on which sides he expects they might face in the finals (if Punjab reaches the final).

“I think at the moment, the two teams that are playing really well are Gujarat Titans and Bangalore. It just depends how much the change in surfaces will impact their squads. But yeah, I think we’ll play one of those two in the final,” His prediction comes at a time when both Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have looked in strong form, and with the tournament reaching its climax, Haddin’s comments provide a glimpse into Punjab’s strategic mindset and how they are sizing up their competition for the title clash.

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During the same podcast, Australian wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy, serving as co-host, brought up a key question that many fans have been wondering about: whether finishing in the top positions in the points table carries any additional advantage in terms of hosting rights during the finals. “What position you finish in the top four, is there any advantage? I haven’t seen any news or announcements. Do you get home ground advantage for the final series, or are those matches set at neutral venues?,” Her query was especially timely given the frequent changes to the IPL playoff structure and the added uncertainty brought on by unpredictable weather in several regions across India.

In response, Haddin revealed a significant development that hadn’t been widely known yet. “Well Heals, it’s just been changed It looked like it was going to be the elimination final and the qualifying final in Bangalore, but there’s been a lot of weather around there. So they’ve actually moved the eliminator to our home ground,” With heavy rainfall and monsoon-like conditions threatening play in Hyderabad, the IPL organizers were forced to shift the fixtures. As a result, Punjab now return to their base in Chandigarh for the eliminator stage ,  a move that could offer logistical convenience but may also bring added pressure.

Despite gaining the perceived advantage of playing a crucial knockout match at home, Haddin was measured in his reaction. “Is that an advantage to us? Our record’s actually been great on the road, not so good at home. Yeah, we would have liked Bangalore, actually. But we’ll take our home,” Haddin concluded.

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