IPL 2026: Preity Zinta’s Punjab Kings appoints a new spin bowling coach for the next edition

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The Indian Premier League franchise Punjab Kings (PBKS) has strategically fortified its coaching staff ahead of the IPL 2026 season by appointing new spin bowling coach. Bahutule, a veteran of Indian domestic cricket with a wealth of coaching experience, steps in for Sunil Joshi, who is reportedly transitioning to a role with the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. This move is a clear indication of the Preity Zinta co-owned franchise’s commitment to building a robust and cohesive bowling unit, particularly after reaching the IPL 2025 final under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer. The appointment is seen as a key component of their long-term strategy for the upcoming player auction and the new season.

Sairaj Bahutule‘s appointment is a significant elevation to the PBKS coaching setup, bringing decades of on-field and strategic knowledge to the squad. The Mumbai leg-spinner had a stellar first-class career, claiming a remarkable 630 wickets in 188 matches, complemented by 197 wickets in List A games, alongside his brief international career of 2 Tests and 8 ODIs for India. This extensive track record provides him with a deep, practical understanding of spin bowling in Indian conditions.

His coaching resume is equally impressive, having guided various domestic teams like Kerala, Gujarat, Vidarbha and Bengal, and an earlier stint with the IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals from 2018 to 2021. This deep engagement with the domestic circuit aligns perfectly with the franchise’s goal of developing young Indian talent and optimizing bowling strategies across T20 formats, ensuring their core unit is strategically sound for the season ahead.

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The move comes as Punjab look to sustain their recent success, which saw them reach the IPL 2025 final before losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The franchise management, led by CEO Satish Menon, emphasized the value Bahutule brings to the dressing room, particularly in terms of strategic management. Welcoming the new coach, Menon stated: “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 mirrored this enthusiasm, recognizing the team’s aggressive style of play and the raw talent pool at his disposal: “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.” This mutual vision signals a focused effort on leveraging his expertise to polish the spin department.

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