The IPL 2026 playoffs are just a little over two weeks away, but Punjab Kings appears to be making a fresh start. Given that top-four contender PBKS has hit a roadblock with three successive losses, it may not be a bad thing to do.

Kings fast-bowling coach James Hopes, who described the defeats as “missteps”, backed the Shreyas Iyer-captained side to fire in the ‘new tournament’ within the 19th edition. “It is a little bit of a hiccup,” Hopes said ahead of the fixture against Delhi Capitals.

“Any team which thinks that it can sail all the way without losing a game is kidding itself. For us, the tournament starts now. We are about three weeks of good cricket away from giving ourselves a chance to win the title,” added the Australian.

He, however, insisted that PBKS was not putting itself under pressure by thinking too far ahead. “We have to focus on what is next — the match against Capitals.”

Changes on the cards?

Hopes said that the return of Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai provided the think-tank the option of fielding two specialist spinners in Yuzvendra Chahal and Harpreet Brar.

Omarzai had flown back home and was unavailable for a few matches because of the demise of his mother. “With Omarzai back, we now have the opportunity to switch things up a little bit and still carry our fast-bowling [resources]. It is nice to have a full squad to pick from. As for Harpreet, he performs whenever he gets a game,” Hopes added.