The Indian Premier League franchise Punjab Kings (PBKS) has strategically fortified its teaching employees forward of the IPL 2026 season by appointing new spin bowling coach. Bahutule, a veteran of Indian home cricket with a wealth of teaching expertise, steps in for Sunil Joshi, who’s reportedly transitioning to a job with the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. This transfer is a transparent indication of the Preity Zinta co-owned franchise’s dedication to constructing a strong and cohesive bowling unit, notably after reaching the IPL 2025 last below the management of Shreyas Iyer. The appointment is seen as a key part of their long-term technique for the upcoming participant public sale and the brand new season.
Punjab Kings’ new spin bowling coach for the IPL 2026
Sairaj Bahutule‘s appointment is a major elevation to the PBKS teaching setup, bringing many years of on-field and strategic information to the squad. The Mumbai leg-spinner had a stellar first-class profession, claiming a outstanding 630 wickets in 188 matches, complemented by 197 wickets in Listing A video games, alongside his transient worldwide profession of two Exams and eight ODIs for India. This in depth monitor document supplies him with a deep, sensible understanding of spin bowling in Indian situations.
His teaching resume is equally spectacular, having guided numerous home groups like Kerala, Gujarat, Vidarbha and Bengal, and an earlier stint with the IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals from 2018 to 2021. This deep engagement with the home circuit aligns completely with the franchise’s objective of growing younger Indian expertise and optimizing bowling methods throughout T20 codecs, making certain their core unit is strategically sound for the season forward.
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The transfer comes as Punjab look to maintain their current success, which noticed them attain the IPL 2025 last earlier than shedding to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The franchise administration, led by CEO Satish Menon, emphasised the worth Bahutule brings to the dressing room, notably when it comes to strategic administration. Welcoming the brand new coach, Menon said: “We prolong our honest due to Sunil Joshi for his devoted service and contribution to the Punjab Kings through the years. As we glance ahead, we’re thrilled to welcome Sairaj Bahutule to our teaching employees. Sairaj’s deep understanding of the sport, notably his in depth expertise in grooming home bowlers and managing technique, can be invaluable to our facet.”
His experience aligns completely with our imaginative and prescient of constructing a robust and cohesive bowling unit for the season forward.” Bahutule mirrored this enthusiasm, recognizing the staff’s aggressive model of play and the uncooked expertise pool at his disposal: “I’m actually excited to affix Punjab Kings as a spin bowling coach for the upcoming IPL season. This can be a staff that performs a special model of cricket, and I can see the potential is very large. They’ve a bunch of gifted gamers, and I’m wanting ahead to working with them to refine their abilities and assist them attain new heights.” This mutual imaginative and prescient alerts a centered effort on leveraging his experience to shine the spin division.
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