The Indian Premier League franchise, Punjab Kings, has officially appointed former India leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule as their new spin bowling coach for the upcoming IPL season. This strategic move sees Bahutule stepping into the role previously held by Sunil Joshi, who had served the team since 2023.
Bahutule, a seasoned veteran of Indian cricket at 52 years old, brings with him a remarkable background forged over decades of playing and a strong, diverse coaching career. During his illustrious playing days, he proudly represented India in two Tests and eight One Day Internationals, establishing himself as one of the most notable bowlers in Indian first-class cricket. Following his retirement from active play, Bahutule seamlessly transitioned into coaching, contributing his expertise to various domestic teams including Kerala, Gujarat, Vidarbha, and Bengal. He also possesses prior IPL coaching experience with the Rajasthan Royals.
Satish Menon, CEO of Punjab Kings, warmly welcomed the new appointment, taking the opportunity to acknowledge Sunil Joshi’s dedicated contributions. “We extend our sincere thanks to Sunil Joshi for his dedicated service and invaluable contributions to the Punjab Kings over the years,” Menon stated. “As we look ahead, we are thrilled to welcome Sairaj Bahutule to our coaching staff.”
Further emphasizing Bahutule’s profound impact, Menon added, “Sairaj’s deep understanding of the game, particularly his extensive experience in nurturing domestic bowlers and strategic management, will be immensely beneficial to our team. His expertise aligns perfectly with our vision of developing a strong and cohesive bowling unit for the season ahead.”
Expressing his own excitement about taking on this significant new role, Bahutule shared his eagerness to contribute to the team’s success. “I’m genuinely thrilled to join Punjab Kings as the spin bowling coach for the upcoming IPL season,” he remarked. “This is a team that plays a distinctive brand of cricket, and I see immense potential within the squad.” He concluded, “They possess a group of incredibly talented players, and I am eager to collaborate with them to hone their skills and help them achieve new milestones.”
The Punjab Kings enjoyed an impressive run in the previous IPL season, ultimately finishing as runners-up after a hard-fought campaign that culminated in a defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final. With the addition of Bahutule to their experienced coaching group, the franchise is keenly focused on building upon that momentum and striving for even greater success in the coming season.