Trevor Bayliss is expected to part ways with the Punjab Kings franchise as his two-year contract concludes ahead of the IPL 2025 season. This follows the recent departure of Ricky Ponting, signaling another high-profile exit from the elite coaching group within the IPL.
Recent reports claim that Punjab Kings (PBKS) are actively seeking an Indian coach to lead the team. Among the potential candidates is Sanjay Bangar, who has previously served as head coach for the franchise and is currently the director of cricket development.
Although the decision was slated to be made during a board meeting on July 22, the meeting did not occur, prompting the franchise to broaden its search as the mega-auction approaches later this year.
The trend of appointing Indian coaches has been gaining momentum, driven by the success of Rahul Dravid with the Indian national team, the Gautam Gambhir-Chandrakant Pandit duo’s triumph with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) last season, and Ashish Nehra’s effective partnership with the Gujarat Titans.
Additionally, Sourav Ganguly’s pivotal role in the Delhi Capitals’ coaching staff and the inclusion of Dinesh Karthik in the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s coaching team for the upcoming season further solidifies this trend.
Trevor Bayliss, 61, has an extensive coaching resume, having had stints with three different IPL franchises—KKR, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Punjab Kings—and a successful tenure with the England team. However, his recent T20 coaching record has been lackluster, with underwhelming performances across various tournaments including his time with the Sunrisers, Sydney Thunder, and Punjab Kings.
Despite the franchise maintaining that no final decision has been made, insiders acknowledge that Bayliss’s coaching style is not under scrutiny. The primary concern is the team’s performance under his guidance.
During his tenure, PBKS finished eighth and ninth in consecutive seasons, failing to meet expectations despite having a robust squad. Bayliss succeeded Anil Kumble as head coach ahead of the 2023 season but was unable to deliver the desired results.
The broader landscape of IPL coaching sees multiple franchises eyeing changes. Rahul Dravid is reportedly being pursued by several teams, and there is considerable focus on the Mumbai Indians regarding Mark Boucher’s position.
The Ashish Nehra-Vikram Solanki duo at Gujarat Titans is also under scrutiny, with the team’s performance being closely monitored. Meanwhile, KKR faces the challenge of finding new coaches following a mass exodus to the Indian team.
As the IPL evolves, the demand for successful, results-driven coaching remains paramount. The potential shift to Indian coaches reflects a strategic pivot, acknowledging the success of domestic talents in nurturing and leading teams to victory. For PBKS, the decision on Bayliss’s successor will be crucial as they aim to rebuild and achieve greater success in upcoming seasons.
