Punjab Kings Strengthen Support Staff, Appoint Sairaj Bahutule as Spin Bowling Coach

Punjab Kings have appointed former India cricketer Sairaj Bahutule, aged 52, as their new spin bowling coach for the upcoming IPL season, replacing Sunil Joshi.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) have appointed former India cricketer Sairaj Bahutule as their spin bowling coach for the upcoming IPL season. Bahutale, who played two Tests and eight ODIs for India, takes over from Sunil Joshi, who held the role since 2023.

Punjab Kings’ management highlighted Bahutule’s expertise in mentoring domestic bowlers and building cohesive bowling units. The franchise also expressed gratitude to Sunil Joshi for his service.

“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,” CEO of Punjab Kings, Satish Menon, wrote.

“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,” he added.

Notably, Bahutule is a seasoned first-class cricketer and experienced coach, having worked with domestic teams like Kerala, Gujarat, Vidarbha, and Bengal. He also contributed to IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals, focusing on developing young talent and refining bowling strategies.

Sairaj Bahutule also stated he looks forward to working with the talented players, refining their skills, and helping them reach new heights.

“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 new coach concluded.