Punjab Kings Likely to Change Head Coach

Bayliss, 61, who has served three different IPL franchises including Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Punjab Kings, may be leaving as the franchise's underwhelming performance in the last two seasons is being reviewed. Despite having a formidable squad, the team finished eighth and ninth in the last two IPL seasons under his guidance. Bayliss took over the team's coaching reins from Anil Kumble in 2023. 

Meanwhile, the Punjab Kings franchise is reportedly scoping out potential Indian coaches as replacements, with names like Sanjay Bangar, who currently holds the position of cricket development director and is an ex-head coach of the franchise, in the mixer. The decision was expected to be taken in a board meeting planned on July 22, but the meeting was postponed. The franchise's decision now seems to hang on a wider search ahead of the mega IPL auction later this year. 

Indian coaches are in great demand in the IPL owing to recent successes. The achievements of coaches like Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, and the Ashish Nehra-Chandrakant Pandit duo are having a positive influence on the IPL franchises. Elsewhere in the IPL, franchises like the Mumbai Indians have Mark Boucher in their sights, while Gujarat Titans' Ashish Nehra and Vikram Solanki find themselves in a precarious situation. Kolkata Knight Riders is also looking for new coaches after a spate of exits.