The Punjab Kings franchise has suffered a significant setback ahead of IPL 2026. The team's spin bowling coach, Sunil Joshi, has decided to depart from the team before the upcoming season. He conveyed his decision to the franchise owner, Preity Zinta, on October 5.
Sports News: The Punjab Kings franchise has been dealt a major blow ahead of IPL 2026. Sunil Joshi, the spin bowling coach who played a pivotal role in the team's success last season, has now opted to leave the squad. Notably, the Punjab Kings secured a spot in the IPL final after a 14-year-long wait.
Head coach Ricky Ponting and his coaching staff, including Sunil Joshi, played a crucial role in guiding the team to the final. However, his decision to depart before the next season undoubtedly represents a significant setback for the franchise.
Sunil Joshi's Role in Punjab Kings' Journey to the Final
The Punjab Kings reached the IPL final last season after a 14-year hiatus. Head coach Ricky Ponting and his coaching staff played a pivotal role in leading the team to the final. Sunil Joshi was an integral part of this coaching staff, making significant contributions to improving spin bowlers and strategizing. Under his guidance, both the technique and game understanding of the bowlers saw considerable improvement. According to team management, Joshi's contributions were instrumental in Punjab Kings' outstanding performance last season and in mentoring young bowlers.
According to reports, Sunil Joshi is likely to join the BCCI's Center of Excellence. However, no official announcement regarding his specific role has been made yet. At the Center of Excellence, he could contribute to training young bowlers and formulating strategies for the future of Team India. This move by Sunil Joshi is being viewed as a positive step for his career.
A member of the Punjab Kings franchise stated, "Sunil is an excellent individual, and his tenure with the franchise has been remarkable. We do not wish to impede his career progression. His future is bright, and we extend our best wishes to him."
Sunil Joshi's IPL Experience
Sunil Joshi was previously associated with the Punjab Kings from IPL 2020 to 2022. Prior to IPL 2025, when Ricky Ponting took over as the team's head coach, the franchise had offered to re-integrate him into the squad. His departure this time could undeniably pose a strategic challenge for the Punjab Kings. His expertise has been particularly crucial in the development of spin bowlers and in crafting match strategies. Many young players within the team have directly benefited from Sunil Joshi's coaching.
Sunil Joshi represented India from 1996 to 2001, securing a total of 110 wickets across 15 Test matches and 69 One Day Internationals. His international record comprises 41 wickets in Tests and 69 wickets in ODIs.
