Former India leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule will run Punjab Kings’ spin department in the 2026 IPL, stepping in for Sunil Joshi, who has moved on to a role at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The shift was confirmed by the franchise late on Wednesday.
“Sairaj’s deep understanding of the game, particularly his extensive experience in grooming domestic bowlers and managing strategy, will be invaluable to our side,” PBKS chief executive Satish Menon said. “His expertise aligns perfectly with our vision of building a strong and cohesive bowling unit for the season ahead.”
Bahutule slots into a back-room group headed by Ricky Ponting and already featuring Brad Haddin (assistant coach), James Hopes (fast bowling) and Trevor Gonsalves (assistant bowling). It is a sizeable staff, but Kings believe the mix is right after finishing runners-up last season – they topped the league but were edged out by Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a six-run final.
The new spin coach does not lack IPL miles. He handled Rajasthan Royals’ slow bowlers in 2025, and held the same post from 2018-21 before a stint at the National Cricket Academy that included India A duties. There is, then, a fair bit of familiarity with younger Indian spinners and the rhythms of tournament cricket.
“I’m really excited to join Punjab Kings as a spin bowling coach for the upcoming IPL season,” Bahutule said. “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.”
A quick glance at the numbers hints at why Kings were keen. Despite the run to the final, their spinners managed only 30 wickets at 33 runs apiece in 2025 – middling returns on flat pitches. Bahutule’s first brief will be to tighten those figures, probably by coaxing a touch more control out of the middle overs.
It’s not a complete overhaul – more a targeted tweak. Joshi’s groundwork remains, and Bahutule, known for a patient, hands-on approach, is expected to build on it rather than rip it up. IPL squads lock in next month; after that the coaching sessions, video calls and net hours start piling up. Plenty to do, not a lot of time, but that’s franchise cricket.
