![Sairaj Bahutule to join Punjab Kings for IPL 2026 [Source: @toi_gauravG/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1761211877483_punjab_kings.jpg?type=hq)
Sairaj Bahutule to join Punjab Kings for IPL 2026 [Source: @toi_gauravG/x]
The Punjab Kings franchise has named former Indian spinner Sairaj Bahutule as their new spin bowling coach ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. Bahutule will be replacing Sunil Joshi, who served the franchise as its spin coach since the 2023 edition of the tournament.
It is worth noting that Sunil Joshi had to leave his Punjab Kings duties considering the former cricketer was recently appointed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as the new bowling coach at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.
Punjab Kings appoint ex-Rajasthan Royals spin bowling coach
Sairaj Bahutule has been roped in by the Punjab Kings franchise to become their new spin bowling coach for next year’s IPL 2026 season, as confirmed by Gaurav Gupta from the Times of India on X. Bahutule previously served the Rajasthan Royals franchise in the IPL under the same capacity.
He will now be replacing Sunil Joshi for the high-profile task, considering the latter was called away by the BCCI to become bowling coach at the board’s CoE in Bengaluru.
Bahutule, a veteran of 188 first-class and 143 List A matches during his playing days, picked up 827 wickets across both formats. The former India all-rounder also played a handful of T20 games before confirming his retirement. Additionally, he aggregated over 7,500 runs with the bat at healthy averages.
Set to helm the Punjab Kings spin attack for IPL 2026, one of Sairaj Bahutule’s primary tasks will be to oversee the potential of his team’s spin arsenal in the lead-up to the auction. The Punjab Kings franchise already holds some ace spinners in the form of Indian star Yuzvendra Chahal and Harpreet Brar.
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