Indian Premier League franchise Punjab Kings (PBKS) have confirmed the appointment of former India cricketer Sairaj Bahutule as their new spin bowling coach. The announcement was made on Wednesday, ahead of the upcoming IPL 2026 season.
Bahutule takes over the role from Sunil Joshi, who served as the team’s spin coach from 2023 to 2025. The change comes as part of Punjab Kings’ plan to strengthen their coaching setup before the next IPL campaign.
Former India cricketer replaces Sunil Joshi in coaching role for Punjab Kings in IPL 2026
Sairaj Bahutule brings a wealth of experience to the role. He has been a veteran of first-class cricket and is known for his deep understanding of spin bowling. Over the years, he has coached several domestic teams such as Kerala, Gujarat, Vidarbha, and Bengal. He has also been part of the Rajasthan Royals setup in the IPL, where he worked on developing young bowlers and improving bowling strategies across all formats.
Punjab Kings CEO Satish Menon welcomed Bahutule to the franchise and praised outgoing coach Sunil Joshi for his contributions.
“We extend our sincere thanks to Sunil Joshi for his dedicated service and contribution to the Punjab Kings over the years. As we look forward, we are thrilled to welcome Sairaj Bahutule to our coaching staff. Sairaj’s deep understanding of the game, particularly his extensive experience in grooming domestic bowlers and managing strategy, will be invaluable to our side. His expertise aligns perfectly with our vision of building a strong and cohesive bowling unit for the season ahead.”
Bahutule expressed his excitement about joining Punjab Kings and shared his thoughts on working with the team.
ALSO READ Ex-KKR Coach Bharat Arun Joins LSG as Bowling Coach for IPL 2026
“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.”
The appointment marks another key move for Punjab Kings as they prepare for the next IPL season. Reports suggest that the IPL 2026 mini auction is likely to take place in December 2025, though official confirmation from the BCCI is still awaited.
