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Punjab Kings assistant coach Brad Haddin conceded that the team hasn't handled pressure well during its worrying slump in IPL 2026 after succumbing to a fifth successive defeat on Thursday night.

The Kings lost by six wickets to Mumbai Indians in a nail biting encounter in Dharamsala despite scoring a formidable 200. The loss continues the team's alarming slide after a strong seven match unbeaten run earlier in the competition.

The latest defeat has now placed the Kings in a must-win scenario in their final two league matches to make it to the play-offs.

Haddin said in the post-match press conference :

"We have just not been able to handle pressure in the last few defeats. We have not played our best cricket when we need to, which has been disappointing."

He Further added : 

"We are as disappointed as you guys are with the way we started the tournament and where we are now. There is no hiding that we've got to play better."

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The Kings looked to be in the ascendancy for most part of the chase of 200 until Tilak Varma played a stellar unbeaten knock of 75 off just 33 deliveries to guide the Indians to victory in the final stages.

Haddin conceded that PBKS had done enough to hold their nerves before Varma's late assault changed the course of the game.

He admitted :

"I thought we did really well to get to the total we did. We felt like we were in control of the game to the last three overs. It took a pretty special knock from Tilak to get Mumbai home."

Bowling has become one of the key areas of concern for the Kings this season as they hold the worst economy rate of 10.77 and the second worst average.

Haddin defended the bowling unit and put it down to modern T20 batting.

Haddin explained : 

"What you do see in this tournament now is some unbelievable power. Two hundred used to be a really, really good score. And now it is a score that teams are not intimidated by. We have just got to find a way," 

Dressing room not a concern, Brad Haddin

The former Australia wicketkeeper rubbished any talks of problems in the dressing room following the team's recent results.

Haddin said :

"The dressing room has been good. Whatever the external noise is that is part of playing professional sport. We have just got to find a way to win a cricket game.  There is no tomorrow now. We have to win our remaining games." 

In terms of fielding, the assistant coach conceded that it has been lacking overall in the tournament.

Haddin concluded : 

"I think throughout the tournament, all teams, we have seen a drop in the standards in the field." 

The Kings now face immense pressure to win their final two league games to secure a playoff berth as the race for the top 4 tightens.