Sairaj Bahutule becomes PBKS spin bowling coach: Punjab Kings appoint former India cricketer as new spin bowling coach ahead of IPL 2026

Punjab Kings (PBKS) have announced a change to their coaching staff ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, bringing on former India cricketer Sairaj Bahutule as their new spin bowling coach. The 52-year-old steps into the role previously held by Sunil Joshi, who had been with the franchise since 2023.

Sairaj Bahutule becomes PBKS' spin bowling coach

Although Sairaj Bahutule's international career was brief, spanning just two Tests and eight ODIs, he is a seasoned veteran of first-class cricket and a highly respected coach. His extensive coaching experience includes stints with several domestic teams such as Kerala, Gujarat, Vidarbha, and Bengal. Furthermore, he has experience in the IPL, having previously held a coaching position with the Rajasthan Royals, where he focused on nurturing young cricketing talent.

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The CEO of Punjab Kings Satish Menon, extended a warm welcome to Bahutule, stating:

"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 added, as quoted by Hindustan Times.

I'm looking forward to help PBKS reach new heights: Sairaj Bahutule

Meanwhile, Sairaj Bahutule also expressed his excitement to join forces with PBKS for the upcoming IPL season.

"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," Bahutule said.

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Bahutule now joins the established PBKS support staff. This team already includes head coach Ricky Ponting, assistant coach Brad Haddin, fast bowling coach James Hope, and Trevor Gonsalves. His immediate priorities will involve providing input on the list of retained players, for which the tentative deadline is November 15. Following the retention process, Bahutule will then be tasked with helping to devise the franchise's strategy for the upcoming IPL 2026 auction, which is scheduled to take place in mid-December this year. Notably, PBKS is coming off a successful season where they finished as runners-up in the IPL 2025.