Delhi – Ahead of the IPL 2026 season, Punjab Kings have appointed former Indian leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule as their new spin bowling coach, replacing Sunil Joshi, who held the role from 2023 to 2025. Bahutule, recently released by Rajasthan Royals, brings extensive experience from domestic and franchise cricket coaching.
The 51-year-old Bahutule has previously worked with teams like Bengal, Kerala, Vidarbha, and Gujarat, earning widespread recognition for his role in nurturing young Indian bowlers across all formats.
Welcoming Bahutule, Punjab Kings CEO Satish Menon said, “We sincerely thank Sunil Joshi for his dedicated service over the years. Moving forward, we are thrilled to welcome Sairaj Bahutule to our coaching staff. His deep understanding of the game, particularly in grooming domestic bowlers and strategizing, will be invaluable for our team.”
Expressing his excitement, Bahutule said, “I am extremely eager to join Punjab Kings as the spin bowling coach for the upcoming IPL season. This is a team that plays cricket differently, and I see immense potential. I look forward to working with the talented players, enhancing their skills, and helping them reach new heights.”
Bahutule joins the coaching setup led by Ricky Ponting, alongside assistants Brad Haddin and James Hopes, who oversaw the team’s journey to the 2025 IPL final.
