Punjab Kings (PBKS) is reportedly set to part ways with head coach Trevor Bayliss, whose two-year contract has expired. The Australian coach took over from Anil Kumble ahead of the 2023 IPL season, but PBKS’s disappointing performances under his guidance have prompted the franchise to seek an Indian replacement.
Bayliss’s tenure at PBKS has been marked by underwhelming results, with the team finishing eighth and ninth in the 2023 and 2024 IPL seasons, respectively. Despite the franchise’s lack of complaints about Bayliss’s coaching style, the team’s poor performance has ultimately led to his potential ouster.
The move to replace Bayliss with an Indian coach aligns with a recent trend in the IPL, where Indian coaches and mentors have achieved notable success with various franchises. PBKS is reportedly considering several options, including Sanjay Bangar, as Bayliss’s successor.
Bayliss’s departure from PBKS would follow the recent exit of Ricky Ponting as head coach of Delhi Capitals (DC). Ponting’s seven-year tenure at DC ended without an IPL title, and the franchise is now considering Sourav Ganguly, their current team director, as a potential replacement.
The coaching carousel in the IPL continues to spin, with franchises seeking to find the right combination of leadership and strategy to achieve success in the highly competitive tournament. PBKS’s decision to part ways with Bayliss and pursue an Indian coach is a reflection of the evolving landscape of the IPL, where Indian coaches are increasingly being recognized for their abilities.
