Punjab Kings, the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, has announced a major shake-up in its coaching staff ahead of the 2024 season. Trevor Bayliss, the head coach, and Sanjay Bangar, the head of cricket development, have both been released from their roles.
The move comes as part of a wider restructuring of the Kings’ coaching setup, with former Australian captain Ricky Ponting recently appointed as the new head coach. Bayliss had taken over as head coach after the 2022 IPL season, while Bangar joined the franchise in December 2023.
Despite the changes, the Kings have yet to taste IPL success, finishing seventh in 2023 and ninth last season. The franchise is hoping that the new coaching team, led by Ponting, can help them break their title drought.
Bayliss, a former England coach, has a wealth of experience in T20 cricket, having led the Sydney Sixers to two Big Bash League titles. Bangar, on the other hand, is a former India international who has served as the head coach of the Indian national team and the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.
The Kings’ decision to part ways with Bayliss and Bangar is a sign of their determination to improve their performance in the IPL. With Ponting at the helm, the franchise will be hoping to challenge for the title in 2024.
