Punjab Kings Rope In Sairaj Bahutule As New Spin Bowling Coach For IPL 2026

In a strategic move ahead of the upcoming season, the Punjab Kings have announced the appointment of former India leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule as their new spin bowling coach. He steps into the role previously held by Sunil Joshi, who was with the franchise from 2023 to 2025.

Bahutule brings a wealth of IPL and domestic expertise to the Punjab setup, having most recently been part of the Rajasthan Royals‘ coaching staff in the same capacity. The 51-year-old boasts an extensive coaching resume, with successful stints at the domestic level with teams like Bengal, Kerala, Vidarbha, and Gujarat, and is widely recognised for his skill in nurturing young Indian bowling talent.

The franchise’s CEO, Satish Menon, welcomed Bahutule while also acknowledging the contribution of the outgoing coach. “We extend our sincere thanks to Sunil Joshi for his dedicated service and contribution to the Punjab Kings over the years,” Menon said. “As we look forward, we are thrilled to welcome Sairaj Bahutule to our coaching staff. His deep understanding of the game, particularly his extensive experience in grooming domestic bowlers and managing strategy, will be invaluable to our side.”

Expressing his excitement about the new role, Bahutule said, “I’m really excited to join Punjab Kings as a spin bowling coach for the upcoming IPL season. This is a team that plays a different brand of cricket, and I can see the potential is massive. They have a bunch of talented players, and I’m looking forward to working with them to refine their skills and help them reach new heights.”

Bahutule will join a high-profile coaching team led by head coach Ricky Ponting, with Brad Haddin and James Hopes serving as assistant coaches, a team that guided the Kings to the final in the 2025 season.

                                               

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